Abstract:
The present invention provides for a swing training device for golfers which allows a golfer to receive immediate visual feedback as to his stance, form, and technique. The training device includes a break-resistant mirror and long support legs mounted behind the reflective surface. These legs not only support the mirror in an upright position, but act as shock absorbers so that the golfer can repeatedly hit practice balls or throw a weighted training ball into the mirror. The legs deflect and then spring back, thereby reorienting the mirror back to its original position and allowing the golfer to remain in substantially the same location while training.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a training device for improving a person&#39;s golf swing. This invention develops a golfer&#39;s muscle memory by providing immediate visual feedback to the golfer before, during, and after each swing. This feedback is through a reflective surface which is disposed in front of the golfer. This invention further develops the golfer&#39;s muscle memory through a support frame which permits the golfer to repeatedly strike golf balls (either practice or regulation balls) or throw a medicine ball directly at the reflective surface. 
   Success at golf (or any other sport or activity involving the striking of a projectile) depends upon a golfer&#39;s ability to repeatedly swing his club in exactly the same manner. Such repetition develops muscle memory (i.e., a muscle&#39;s ability to perform an action without conscious thought by the person as to how such an action is accomplished). If the repetitions are done using good golf form and technique, then good muscle memory is developed. 
   Furthermore, if a golfer receives feedback on his form and technique during his swing, then good muscle memory may be developed and the improvement of his swing is greatly enhanced. 
   Still further, muscle development is enhanced by weight-training exercises. In golf, the muscles associated with swinging a golf club can be exercised using a weighted ball or “medicine ball.” The medicine ball replaces the golf club during a swing to add resistance and thereby increase the work performed by the swing muscles. Oftentimes, it is desirable to release the medicine ball near the end of the swing to ensure the golfer does not lose his balance during the follow-through or end phase of the swing. 
   Some prior art references pertaining to reflective swing development devices include U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,956 issued Jul. 23, 2002 to John H. Kusmiss for “Apparatus For Practicing A Ball-Propelling Sport Using A Ball-Returning Device In Conjunction With An Imaging Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,304 issued Sep. 20, 1994 to John C. Meade for “Golf Club Swing Training Method”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,871 issued Dec. 14, 1993 to the present inventor for “Stand Up Practice Mirror”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,576 issued Dec. 29, 1992 to Kevin S. Lee et al. for “Portable Golf Practice Mirror”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,566 issued Dec. 29, 1992, to George L. Kelnhofer for “Training Device For Golfers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,084 issued May 14, 1991 to Ralph H. Kryder for “Sports Training Apparatus Including A Mirror Assembly With Adjustable Line Segments”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,687 issued to Claude Wolff for “Reflecting Device For Golf Training Or Any Other Sport Using A Ball Striking Staff”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,559 issued Apr. 11, 1978 to George Owen, Jr. for “Sports Training Apparatus”. 
   Generally such prior art fails to provide for a swing development device which allows the user to receive visual feedback while developing muscle memory through repeated practice swings (either striking balls or resistance training) that cause the training aid to temporarily deflect then return to its original position. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The broad purpose of the present invention is to provide a golf swing feedback device comprising a planar mirrored surface which is supported by a pair of “L-shaped” legs mounted behind the mirror. The mirror and the legs are both mounted upon a base. The bottom of the mirror is placed within a channel in the base and one end of each of the legs is fitted within an aperture in the base. The other ends of the legs are mounted to the upper portion of the mirror. 
   When a golfer hits balls or throws a weighted ball into the mirror, the legs operate as “shock absorbers” by elastically deforming then rebounding to their original location to position the mirror back into alignment relative to the golfer. 
   A net mounted upon a removable frame is also provided wherein the frame is mounted to the mirror so that the net is placed between the golfer and the mirror. The net allows the golfer to hit regulation-type golf balls at the mirror and also assists beginning golfers to capture miss-hit practice balls that may not have struck the mirror. 
   A ball return ramp is also provided which may be mounted to the base in front of the mirror. This ramp is placed at an angle sloping away from the mirror allowing the balls hit or thrown into the mirror to roll down its top surface toward the user. 
   Still further objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, upon reference to the following detailed description. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a swing training aid illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention including: a mirror assembly, a base, and a support frame assembly; 
       FIG. 1   a  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating the deflection of the frame assembly and the mirror assembly; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a back view of the mirror assembly; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the base member; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a frame member of the frame assembly; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention having a ball return ramp; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the invention illustrating a net assembly coupled to the swing training aid; 
       FIG. 8  is a partial side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention illustrating the mirror assembly having alignment lines; 
       FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of still yet another embodiment of the invention illustrating the mirror assembly having a plurality of hooks and strings to produce alignment lines; 
       FIG. 11  is a side cut-away view of still yet another embodiment of the invention illustrating the base member having a cushioning grommet; and 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of still yet another embodiment of the invention illustrating hold down stakes securing the base member to the ground. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred swing training aid  10 . Swing training aid  10  includes an planar reflective surface or mirror assembly  12 , a base member  14 , and a support frame assembly  16 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  mirror assembly  12  is a generally planar mirror having a break resistant front and a strong backing. Mirror assembly  12  includes a clear protective front layer  20  and a reflective surface  24  fixedly mounted to a backing layer  22 . Particularly, front layer  20  is formed from a clear relatively break and wear resistant material such as a acrylic sheet material sold by the Atofina Corporation of Puteaux, France under the trademark PLEXIGLAS. A layer of reflective or “silvered” material  24  is deposited upon or abuttingly disposed against front layer  20  to create a reflective surface or mirror. The backing layer  22  is formed from a relatively resilient and lightweight material, such as wood or plastic. 
   In the preferred embodiment of the invention, mirror assembly  12  is generally rectangular in shape being four feet (1.22 m) in length and two feet (0.61 m) wide. The front acrylic layer  20  is approximately one eighth inches (3.18 mm) thick and backing layer  22  is approximately three eighths inches (9.53 mm) thick, making the entire mirror assembly  12  about one half inch (1.27 cm) thick. 
   As shown best in  FIG. 2 , the acrylic front layer  20  and reflective layer  24  do not cover the entire length of the backing layer  22 . Instead, a portion  23  of layer  22  extending approximately six inches (15.24 cm) up from its bottom edge  26  is not covered by either layer  20 ,  24 . 
   Mirror assembly  12  also includes an accessory rail  28  that is fixedly coupled to the exposed front side  23  of the backing layer  22  beneath the acrylic layer  20 . Rail  28  extends across the width of the backing layer  22  running parallel to bottom edge  26 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, rail  28  is approximately one inch (2.54 cm) square and is about eighteen inches (45.72 cm) long and is formed from a strong material such as wood or plastic. 
   Mirror assembly  12  also includes a frame support block  36  which is fixedly coupled to the back side of backing layer  22  in close proximity to the top edge  25  of the mirror assembly. As shown, block  36  runs lengthwise across the width of backing layer  22  substantially parallel to edge  25 . 
   Block  36  further includes a pair of support frame holes  37 ,  38 . Holes  37 ,  38  are formed within block  36  substantially perpendicular to the outer surface  39  of block  36 . These holes  37 ,  38  are spaced apart a distance equal to approximately one half of the length of the block  36  and are centered along its width. These holes  37 ,  38  are sized to receive and retain the outer diameter of the support frame members described below. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, block  36  is generally rectangular being two inches (5.08 cm) thick by four inches (10.16 cm) wide and is approximately two feet (1.22 m) long. Further, holes  37 ,  38  are approximately one inch (2.54 cm) in diameter and are approximately two inches (5.08 cm) in depth. In this preferred embodiment, block  36  is located approximately six inches (15.24 cm) from top edge  25  of mirror assembly  12   
   In an alternative embodiment, two additional fastener holes  33  are formed in block  36 . Each of these holes  33  is formed perpendicular to and intersects is with one of the support holes  37 ,  38 . These holes  33  are located approximately one inch (2.54 cm) from the outer surface  39  and run generally parallel to the length of the backing layer  22 . 
   In one non-limiting embodiment, shown in  FIG. 9 , mirror assembly  12  may further include at least one alignment lines or markers  29  located upon either the front layer  20  or the reflective layer  24 . These lines  29  are located upon mirror assembly  12  in a way to provide visual cues or markers upon which a golfer may align his stance, swing plane, and/or follow-through position. 
   In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , mirror assembly  12  is substantially the same as it is described above, but also includes a plurality of tie down points or hooks  23  along the outer edges and running the length of the backing layer  22 . A user of mirror assembly  12  may then position strings  27  across the front of layer  20  and removably couple the ends of the strings  27  to any of the provided tie-downs  23 . In this embodiment of the invention, the strings  27  may replace or supplement the permanent lines  29  formed in the mirror described in the above embodiment. In this manner, a user may customize any number of alignment markers to best suit his training needs. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , training aid  10  also includes a base portion  14  Base portion  14  provides a broad and stable surface upon which the mirror assembly  12  is mounted. Base  14  includes a generally planar bottom or baseboard  40 . 
   Base portion  14  also includes a pair of substantially identical mirror support rails  42 ,  44 . These rails  42 ,  44  are fixedly coupled upon the upper surface of baseboard  40  in close proximity to front end  41  of baseboard  40 . As shown, rails  42 ,  44  run substantially parallel to edge  41  and cooperate with baseboard  40  to define a generally “U-shaped” channel  45  that traverses the width of baseboard  40 . In an alternate embodiment of the invention, rails  42 ,  44  are replaced by a notch or crevice formed along the width of the baseboard  40 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, baseboard  40  is generally rectangular in shape being approximately four feet (1.22 m) in length and two feet (0.61 m) in width. Baseboard  40  is approximately one half inch (1.27 cm) thick and is formed from a relatively stiff and resilient material such as wood or plastic. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, rails  42 ,  44  are approximately one inch (2.54 cm) square and are approximately two feet (1.22 m) long. In this preferred embodiment, rail  42  is disposed approximately one inch (2.54 cm) from front edge  41 , while rail  44  is disposed approximately one half inch (1.27 cm) from rail  42 . 
   Base portion  14  also includes a frame support block  46 . Block  46  is fixedly coupled to the upper surface of baseboard  40  and is located a distance from back edge  43  equal to approximately one-quarter the length of baseboard  40 . As shown, block  46  runs lengthwise across the width of baseboard  40  substantially parallel to edge  42 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, block  46  is generally rectangular being two inches (5.08 cm) thick by four inches (10.16 cm) wide and is approximately two feet (1.22 m) long. 
   Block  46  also includes a pair of support frame holes  47 ,  48 . Holes  47 ,  48  are formed within block  46  substantially perpendicular to the outer surface  49  of block  36 . These holes  47 ,  48  are spaced apart a distance equal to approximately one half of the length of the block  46  and are centered along its width. These holes  47 ,  48  are sized to receive and retain the outer diameter of the support frame members described below. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, holes  47 ,  48  are approximately one inch (2.54 cm) in diameter and are approximately two inches (5.08 cm) in depth. 
   In an alternative embodiment of the invention, two additional holes  43  are formed in block  46 . Each of these holes  43  is formed perpendicular to and intersects with one of the support holes  47 ,  48 . These holes  43  are located approximately one inch (2.54 cm) from the top surface  49  and run generally parallel to the length of the baseboard  40 . In this preferred embodiment, block  46  is located approximately one foot (0.30 m) from back edge  43  of baseboard  40 . 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , swing training aid  10  includes a support frame assembly  15 . Support frame assembly  16  includes a pair of identical tubular frame members  50 . Each frame member  50  includes two elongated leg portions  51 ,  52  which are coupled together to give each frame member  50  a generally “L-shaped” configuration. First leg portion  51  is coupled to second leg portion  52  at an elbow  58 . When training aid  10  is assembled, first leg portion  51  is oriented vertically while second leg portion  52  is oriented generally horizontally. As shown, portion  52  is coupled to portion  51  at a slight angle  55  relative to the horizontal plane. In the preferred embodiment of the invention angle  55  is between zero and twenty degrees. 
   In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each member  50  is formed from approximately one inch (2.54 cm) outside diameter plastic pipe material (i.e., three fourths inch (1.91 cm) inside diameter pipe). In one form, portion  51  is approximately thirty-two inches (0.81 m) long and portion  52  is approximately three feet (0.91 m) long. 
   Each frame member  50  also has a hole  53  formed in each portion  51 ,  52  approximately one inch (2.54 cm) from the terminating ends  54 ,  56 . The holes  53  are oriented so that the hole formed in end  56  is parallel to portion  51  lengthwise while the hole formed in end  54  is parallel to portion  52  lengthwise. 
   In the preferred form, each frame member  50  is formed from polyvinyl chloride material, commonly known as PVC. PVC material is used as it is relatively rigid, lightweight, and resistant to breaking. Schedule 40 PVC pipe is provided in the preferred embodiment of the invention, but other schedules of PVC pipe may be used. 
   The two frame members  50  are fitted within the holes  37 ,  38 ,  47 ,  48  formed in blocks  36 ,  46 . That is, end  56  is fitted within hole  37  while end  54  is fitted into hole  47 . Similarly, end  56  of the other frame member  50  is fitted within hole  38  while its end  54  is fitted into hole  48 . The bottom edge  26  of mirror assembly  12  is placed within the U-shaped channel  45  of the base  14 . In this manner, mirror assembly  12  is solidly supported by the frame assembly  16  and the base  14 . 
   Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 1   a , frame assembly  16  in cooperation with base  14  operates as a shock absorber when forces are applied against the mirror assembly  12  in the general direction of arrow  75 . That is, when a force is applied against the mirror assembly  12  (e.g., a ball  19  striking the mirror assembly  12 ), that force is transferred through portion  52  and elbow  58  to portion  51 . The long length of portion  51  relative to its diameter permits a limited amount of elastic deformation or temporary bending to occur along leg portion  51  while the force is applied. This limited deformation results in the mirror assembly  12  and frame assembly  16  being moved from its original position  1  (shown in shadow) to a second shock absorbing position  2 . 
   After the force is removed (i.e., after the ball  19  has impacted the front surface  20  and has dropped to the ground), the configuration and placement of frame members  50  inherently causes the mirror assembly  12  to be reoriented back to its original position. In this manner, the mirror assembly  12  is repositioned in the same location relative to a user after each force is applied then removed (ball hitting the mirror). 
   In the preferred embodiment of the invention, training aid  10  also includes four fasteners or pin members  60 . Each pin  60  is adapted to fit within the holes  33 ,  43 ,  53 . The pin members  60  removably couple the frame members  50  to the base  14  and mirror assembly  12 . That is, a pin member  60  is fit into the hole  33  formed in block  36  and through the hole  53  formed through the end  56  of a frame member  50 . This procedure is similarly repeated for each hole  33 ,  43  formed in the blocks  36 ,  46  until each end  53 ,  54  of the frame members  50  are pinned into place. In another embodiment, each of the ends  54 ,  56  are press-fit into their respective holes  37 ,  47 . 
   In an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 11 , two rubber grommets  100  sized to fit around the outer diameter of ends  54  are also included. These grommets  100  are fit into holes  47 ,  48  which have been enlarged to accommodate the addition of the grommets  100 . These grommets  100  increase the ability of the frame assembly  16  to deflect while reducing the amount of stress applied to the block  46  and ends  54  when a force is applied to the mirror assembly  12 . 
   In operation, a user of the training aid  10  stands in front of mirror assembly  12  so that he may see his reflection in mirror assembly  12 . The user may then view his swinging motion in the mirror assembly  12 . The user may also strike practice golf balls or use weighted medicine balls in his swinging regimen to enhance his training. The user may then hit or throw these balls into the mirror assembly  12  to develop his muscles and muscle memory, while also view himself in the mirror assembly  12  to receive immediate visual feedback as to his stance and swing technique. 
   The rebound effect provided by the frame assembly  16  after a force is applied by the user (i.e., after the user hit or threw a ball at the training aid  10 ) allows the user to remain standing in substantially the same location while training. This beneficially eliminates the user&#39;s need to reposition himself to best see his reflection in the mirror assembly  12  after each swing. This is because the frame assembly  16  causes the reflection off of the reflective surface  24  to be substantially the same as it was before the user made his previous swing. This repeatable rebound effect is particularly useful when the mirror assembly employs the alignment markings  27 ,  29  to assist in his training. This is because the user may align the reflection of certain body parts with a particular line  27 ,  29  each time he swings. By returning to the same relative position after being struck, the mirror assembly  12  of training aid  10  enables the user to re-align himself with these lines  27 ,  29  quickly and easily. 
   If the user desires to apply a large amount of force upon the training aid  10  (such as using a heavy medicine ball), then the relatively open configuration of the mirror assembly  12 , frame assembly  16 , and base  14  allows a weight  70  to be placed upon the baseboard  40  beneath the horizontal portions  52  of the frame members  50 . In one non-limiting embodiment, the user may place his golf bag in this location in addition to or in place of weight  70 . 
   In an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 12 , four hold-down stakes  102  are also included. These stakes  102  can be inserted through staking holes  103  which are formed in the corners of baseboard  40  and into the ground to secure the base portion  14  to a certain location. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown wherein the training aid  10  also includes a ball return ramp  80 . Ball return ramp  80  is removably coupled to the front of mirror assembly  12  through conventional fasteners, such as pins  60  or complementary nuts and bolts. 
   Ramp  80  includes a board member  82  and a covering  84 . In the preferred alternate embodiment, covering  84  is a green artificial turf material which covers the top surface of member  82 . End  81  of ramp  80  is disposed upon the top surface of the accessory rail  28  and is removably coupled to rail  28  using fasteners  60  in a conventional manner. The opposing end  83  is placed upon the ground resulting in a surface which declines from an elevated position at the point where the member  82  is coupled to the rail  28  to the ground. Board member  82  is generally rectangular being approximately three feet (0.91 m) in length and two feet (0.61 m) in width. Member  82  is approximately one quarter inch (6.4 mm) thick and is formed from a relatively resilient and lightweight material such as wood or plastic. 
   In operation, the user of training aid  10  stands in front of the ramp  80  and mirror assembly  12 , positioning himself in the manner described above. When the user hits or throws a ball into the mirror assembly  12 , the ball will first drop down upon the ramp  80  and will roll along the ramp  80  toward edge  83  and the ground. In this manner, a user of training aid  10  can have the balls he is using in his training returned to him by the ramp  80 . Cover  84  provides a uniform and “grass-like” foreground to reduce any distractions in the user&#39;s peripheral vision while addressing the ball prior to a swing. The artificial turf of cover  84  also acts to slow a golf ball from rolling too far past the user. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , another alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the training aid  10  described above also includes a net assembly  18 . Net assembly  18  includes a net  92 , a crossbar  95 , and a pair of uprights  90  which are removably mounted to the support block  36  of the mirror assembly  12 . 
   Particularly, uprights  90  are generally L-shaped tubular supports having a first vertical portion  91  and a second horizontal portion  92 . A long tubular crossbar  95  is removably coupled to each upright  90  at the end of portion  92  using conventional fasteners. 
   In the preferred alternative embodiment, uprights  90  and crossbar  95  are formed from the same material and are the same diameter as the frame members  50  of frame assembly  16 . Vertical portion  91  is approximately three feet (0.91 m) in length and horizontal portion  92  is approximately 18 inches (0.46 m) in length. Crossbar  95  is approximately four feet (1.22 m) in length. 
   In this non-limiting embodiment, support block  36  has two additional mounting holes  35  formed in its top surface  31 . These holes  35  are sized to receive and retain the outer diameter of portion  91  of the two uprights  90 . Additional conventional fastening means (not shown), similar to pin members  60 , may be used to secure the uprights to the support block  36 . In this embodiment, holes  35  are located approximately two inches (5.08 cm) from the outermost edges of the block  36 . 
   Net  92  is coupled to and runs the length of crossbar  95 . Net  92  is a relatively fine mesh net allowing a user to easily see through the net  92 , while effectively stopping the intended projectiles (e.g., golf balls) from passing through. Net  92  is generally rectangular in shape being approximately four feet (1.22 m) wide and six feet (1.83 m) in length. This length allows net  92  to hang from crossbar  95  down to the ground. 
   As shown, net  92  is located between the user and mirror assembly  12  and allows a user to hit standard golf balls toward the training aid  10  without the worry of ricochet or accidental miss-hit balls going past the training aid  10 . Using standard golf balls also provides the positive training feedback of feel (i.e., feeling the impact associated with hitting golf balls used on the golf course). Net assembly  18  allows the user to experience this tactile feedback while still providing the immediate visual feedback provided by mirror assembly  12 . 
   It should be appreciated that substantially any of the embodiments described herein can be combined to provide the user of training aid  10  with a number of training options. For example and without limitation, the ball return ramp  80  shown in  FIG. 6  could cooperatively used with the alignment lines  29  shown in  FIG. 9  and the net assembly  18  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  to allow the user to use the alignment cues provided by the lines  29  while benefiting from the net  92  to hit standard golf balls into the training aid  10  and having the golf balls roll back to him via the ball return feature of ramp  80 . 
   It should further be appreciated that the mirror assembly  12 , base portion  14 , and frame assembly  16  (as well as the ramp  80  and net assembly  18  shown in the alternative embodiments), can each be quickly and easily separated from each other to enable a user to disassemble the training aid  10 . This provides the benefit of portability and allowing the user to erect the training aid  10  in a one location, disassemble the training aid  10  for transportation, and then re-erect the training aid  10  in a different location.