Patent ID: 12246235

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a rotation training system100used for training and improving a sport player's swing. The rotation training system100is designed to provide feedback and to assist in player development in a variety of sports, such as golf, baseball, tennis, by helping the player learn how to gain rotary movement in his/her body during his/her swing.

In a first and a second embodiment, the rotation training system100of the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of a harness assembly105(FIG.2) including a chest/waist band110with a laterally projecting stick120. The rotation training system100of these embodiments is used with a separately provided upright structure150.

In a third embodiment, the rotation training system of the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of both a harness assembly105and a separate upright structure150, which is independent of the harness assembly105.

In a fourth embodiment, the rotation training system of the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of a harness assembly105, a separate upright structure150, and an electronics system180,190for determining at least the degree of rotation.

Referring now toFIG.1, a rotation training system, shown generally as reference number100, is illustrated in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the rotation training system comprises a harness assembly105including a chest/waist band110configured with an outwardly projecting stick120. The projecting stick120is designed to engage with a separate upright structure150(shown inFIGS.4-9) upon execution of proper rotation during a golf swing to provide auditory and/or tactile feedback (or in the fourth embodiment, to provide electronic feedback) to indicate to the player if the desired degree of rotation was achieved before the club, racket, or bat hits the ball.

The chest/waist band110includes a band front, a band back, and two opposing band sides, which are preferably formed integrally. The projecting stick120is attached to one of the two opposing band sides.

The chest/waist band110is a strip of flexible material, such as fabric, canvas, webbing, leather, vegan leather, complementary loop or hook fabric, or other similar material. The chest/waist band110is long enough to fit around the chest and the waist of the player to be trained, such as from 35 to 70 inches in circumference with an additional length allowance for overlapping the opposing ends to create a closure. The chest/waist band110is not thick (does not extend outwardly from the player's body over 1.5 inches), thus allowing freedom of movement. The chest/waist band110has a vertical height that is tall enough to be comfortable and to support the projecting stick120but is short enough to avoid impeding movement or performance. The height of the chest/waist band110may be in the range of from 1 inch to 9 inches, and it may preferably be in the range of 2 to 6 inches, and is most preferably in the range of from 3.5 to 5 inches.

The projecting stick120is attached in a generally horizontal (or angled slightly downward) orientation at the side of the chest/waist band110. When the chest/waist band110is positioned at the player's chest, the projecting stick120protrudes laterally from the body's midline just under the player's lead armpit. When the chest/waist band110is positioned at the player's waist, the projecting stick120protrudes laterally from the midline of the lead side of the player's waist. When the player rotates his/her body to execute a swing, the projecting stick120also rotates to strike the upright structure150, which has previously been located at the correct position to provide the feedback of interest in the rotation training.

The projecting stick120has a width in the range of 0.5 inches to 3 inches. The length of the projecting stick120from the stick proximal end121to the stick distal end129may be in the range of 1 foot to 4 feet, may preferably be in the range of 1.5 to 3.5 feet, and is most preferably between 2 and 3 feet in length. The diameter or width of the projecting stick120can be in the range of ⅛ inch to 1.5 inches and is preferably in the range of ⅛ to ⅕ inches. The projecting stick120may be formed of metal, wood, plastic, or other natural or manmade material.

The proximal portion of the band-to-stick connector125is fixedly attached to the chest/waist band110. The distal portion of the band-to-stick connector125receives the projecting stick120and holds it stably in at a position generally horizontal (parallel to the ground) or angled slightly downward.

In one aspect of the invention, the projecting stick120is fixedly attached via a band-to-stick connector125at a permanent angle to the chest/waist band110.

In a preferred aspect shown in the first and the second embodiments, the projecting stick120is attachable/detachable from the band110and is adjustable in angle. In this aspect, the band-to-stick connector125is adjustable to allow the stick120to be positioned at more than one angle, with one angle generally horizontal and parallel with the ground (forming a right angle with the portion of the chest/waist band110below the band-to-stick connector125) with the other angle (or angles) forming an acute angle (or acute angles) in which the distal end of the stick120is closer to the ground.

In the first embodiment, the band-to-stick connector125includes an angle mount123that is adjustable, that receives the proximal end of the projecting stick120, and that allows the projecting stick120to be held generally horizontally or angled downwardly from horizontal. The band-to-stick connector125comprises a mating portion127that connects the band-to-stick connector125to the chest/waist band110and an adjustable angle mount123disposed at the outer or distal portion of the band-to-stick connector125that enables the stick120to be moved into at least one additional angle. The proximal end of the projecting stick120is detachably received by the multi-angle adjustable angle mount. In the first embodiment, the adjustable angle mount preferably includes a ratcheting assembly to allow the user to pivot the projecting stick120upward or downward to change the angle of inclination, which can be selectively pivoted in a single plane as much as 150 degrees.

The adjustable angle mount123is configured to adjust to at least two inclination settings. In the upper position, the projecting stick120extends generally horizontally at an inclination angle of about 90 degrees (where the angle is measured between the stick120and the vertical portion of the chest/waist band110below the band-to-stick connector125). At the lower inclination angle setting, the projecting stick120forms an acute angle (less than 90-degree angle), so that the projecting stick120is angled downwardly. In one aspect of the invention, the adjustable angle mount123is configured to allow the projecting stick120to be positioned at three angles, one of which is approximately 90 degrees and two of which are less than 90 degrees, as depicted in dash lines inFIGS.1and3. In a further aspect, the adjustable angle mount123is configured to allow the projecting stick120to be positioned at more than three angles. In another aspect the band-to-stick connector125further comprises a lock which functions to lock the stick120in the selected position.

In the second embodiment of the invention ofFIGS.10-18, the projecting stick120is removably connected to the chest/waist band110by a band-to-stick connector125that, as in the first embodiment, includes a mating portion127(FIG.10) and an angle mount123. However, in the second embodiment of the invention, the adjustability of the inclination angles is provided by a manual angle mount123instead of the adjustable angle mount of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the distal portion of the band-to-stick connector125comprises a manual angle mount123that includes at least two receiving apertures128. The receiving apertures include a generally straight/horizontal aperture128S and an angled aperture128A. Each of the apertures is configured to removably receive the projecting stick120. The user selects the receiving aperture128that provides the desired angle and inserts the proximal end121of the projecting stick120into the selected receiving aperture128. When desired, the user can remove the projecting stick120from the first receiving aperture128and insert it into a second receiving aperture128. By this manual introduction of the projecting stick120into the selected receiving aperture128, the projecting stick120can be oriented in a generally horizontal disposition or can be angled downwardly from horizontal. Preferably a mechanical fastener126(such as a screw with a wing nut) secures the stick's proximal end121within the selected receiving aperture128to provide a secure yet removable connection.

As seen inFIG.18, the angle mount123is preferably formed of two mount members with the receiving apertures128positioned at the junction of and between the two mount members so that when the mechanical fastener126is tightened, the two halves (mount members) of the angle mount123are brought together, which reduces the size of the aperture128to tighten the aperture128around the stick120that has been inserted.

To further assure that the proximal end121does not disengage will the sports training system is in use, most preferably the stick's proximal end121comprises a friction-increasing material. For example, it may be coated with a thin layer of rubbery material or may be formed with a rubber tip. The friction-increasing material functions to increase the friction between the tip and the receiving aperture to prevent unintentional disengagement and accidents.

An advantage of allowing the user to select between multiple inclination angles is that it allows the sport training system100to adapted for use by players having varying heights. While a shorter player may position the stick120in the uppermost position (generally parallel to the ground), a taller player may need to position the stick120in the lowest position to enable engagement of the stick120with the separate upright structure150. Another advantage of the multiple inclination angles is that multiple angles facilitate the two-in-one usage of the harness assembly105. The angle of inclination can be easily varied when the location of the harness assembly105is changed from the waist to the chest; therefore, the sport training system100to be easily used for training either pelvic or thoracic rotation.

In a preferred aspect, the harness assembly further comprises left and right shoulder straps130, each of which is formed of a long thin band or strip of material. In the preferred aspect of the invention (shown in both the first and second embodiments), the shoulder straps130are removable, but in another aspect, they may be fixedly attached. The shoulder straps130may be formed of fabric, webbing, canvas, belting material, or similar material. The shoulder straps130are removable by use of attachment/detachment connectors135, such as a G-hook and corresponding loop combination, a button and buttonhole, complementary hook(s) and eye(s), complementary hook and loop fastenings, or other complementary connectors.

In the first embodiment, the shoulder straps130are removably attached at the top portion of the chest/waist band110, and the complementary attachment/detachment connectors135are shown as G-hooks to be engaged with loops. The top portion of the chest/waist band110is configured with loops, and both ends of both the first and the second shoulder straps130are configured with fixedly attached G-hooks. In an aspect that may provide additional versatility and provide convenience for both right-handed and left-handed players, both the top portion of the chest/waist band110and the bottom portion of the chest/waist band110may be configured with portions of the complementary attachment/detachment system135. In this aspect the chest/waist band110can be easily inverted for use. With the duplicate complementary attachment/detachment system135, the chest/waist band110may be turned 180 degrees to convert the right-handed version of the chest/waist band110to the left-handed version.

In the second embodiment, a hook material is disposed on the inner surface of both ends of both the first and the second shoulder straps130. The inner hook material is complementary to the looped material of the outer surface of the chest/waist band110. Thus, the attachment/detachment connectors135are formed by the combination of the complementary hook and loop fastening materials on the straps130and on the band110, which provides maximum adjustability for user's of all sizes and heights.

In both the first and the second embodiments, the chest/waist band110is an open band that is sufficiently long to be fitted around a player's chest and/or waist and that has a distal end119that is configured to be releasably joined to a proximal end111. The distal end119and proximal end111are configured with complementary portions of a band closure/joining system140. The closure/joining system140is illustrated in the embodiments as complementary hook and loop material, but other complementary joining mechanisms are within the scope of the invention. Examples of the complementary joining mechanisms additionally include, for example, a set of quick connectors, a set of buttons and buttonholes, a set of opposing ties, or other mated pairs of complementary joining mechanisms. A first one of the complementary joining mechanisms is disposed on a first proximal end111of the chest/waist band110, and the complementary second joining mechanism is disposed on the opposing second distal end119of the chest/waist band110.

In another aspect of the invention, the chest/waist band110may be formed of an elastic material with sufficient stretch to fit over the head and shoulders of the player, which would negate the need for a band closure/joining system140.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the chest/waist band110is formed of a fabric having an outer surface covered in a dense looped material, which is the loop material of a complementary hook and loop closure system, such as that sold under the brand name of VELCRO. The inner surface of one end of the chest/waist band110has an additional supplementary section of complementary hook material, which can be attached to the outer surface of the opposing end of the chest/waist band110to fit and secure the chest/waist band110around the user. Thus, the supplementary section of hook material (disposed on the inner surface of the band's proximal end111) interlocks with the loop material of the outer surface of the band's distal end119(FIG.10). Therefore, in the second embodiment, the band closure/joining system140is formed by the interlocking of an inner section of hook material and the outer surface of the distal end119of the chest/waist band110.

Both forward and rearward ends of the right and left shoulder straps130are configured with a dense arrangement of tiny hooks, which is the hook fabric of the complementary hook and loop closure system. In this preferred embodiment, the shoulder straps130can readily be moved to any position for engagement with the outer surface of the chest/waist band110.

The second embodiment also demonstrates a mid-strap connection132(FIG.10) on each of the right and left shoulder straps130, which provides even more customization of the fit of the sport training system100. The mid-strap connection132is formed by an intermediary set of complementary hook and loop fabric fasteners disposed within a middle portion of both the first and the second shoulder straps130. Therefore, each of the right and left shoulder straps have a front strap portion and a back strap portion. Though one end of each of each of the front strap portion and of the back strap portion attaches to the band110, the opposing midpoint ends of the front and back strap portions are configured with a midpoint portion of complementary hook and loop material so that said midpoint portions can be joined together in the mid-strap connection132.

Thus, the second embodiment maximizes the adjustability of the chest/waist band110and of the shoulder straps130, so that it can fit users of many ages and of many body types. Once adjusted to fit a particular user, the straps need not be totally removed, but can be disconnected at only one end to aid in retaining the preferred fit.

The chest/waist band110can be positioned at the chest or at the waist of the player being trained. When the chest/waist band110is worn as a chest harness, the outwardly projecting stick120protrudes laterally from the body's midline just under the player's lead armpit. During the swing practice, the projecting stick120will engage with a separate upright structure to provide feedback to the player to inform the player if his/her chest was opened enough before the sports implement's impact with the ball. The shoulder straps130of the chest/waist band110can be removed and the chest/waist band110can be repositioned at the waist. In this second use case, the feedback will indicate to the player the sufficiency of rotation of his/her pelvis before impact with the ball.

The harness assembly105of the first and second embodiment may be sold alone for use with a separate upright structure provided by the player, the player's trainer, a training facility, or the like.

In the third embodiment, the rotation training system100not only includes the harness assembly105, but it also includes a separate upright structure150. In a further aspect of the third embodiment, the rotation training system100may include more than one separate upright structure150, such two upright structure150to train forward and backward rotation on the same swing.

The separate upright structure150may comprise a pole, shaft, stick, pipe, wand, or other relatively long, straight, slender, vertically disposed object, referred to generally as pole151. The vertically disposed pole151is preferably cylindrical in cross section, though its cross section may instead by in the form of a square, rectangle, pentagon, or other geometric shape. The vertically disposed pole151may be formed of metal, wood, nylon, or other natural or manmade material. The height of the vertically disposed pole151of the upright structure150may preferably be in the range of from 4.5 feet to 9 feet tall. The width of the vertically disposed pole151is preferably from ¼ inch to 3 inches.

The vertically disposed pole151is positioned upright (approximately perpendicular to the ground) in a location that allows it to be struck by the projecting stick120during the player's swing. The placement of the separate upright structure150can be varied to create feedback for the particular rotation being taught. For example, it may be positioned to the left side of a golf player to provide feedback for the rotation during the swing. It (or a second separate upright structure150) may be positioned slightly to the right of the center of the player and slightly forward so that the player points the end of the projecting stick120at the separate upright structure150at the top of the backswing.

In one aspect, the vertically disposed pole151of the upright structure150may be inserted directly into the ground—if desired and if conditions allow. In another aspect of the invention, the upright structure150further comprise a base155. The vertically disposed pole151may be attached to, or attachable to, the base155. The base155extends horizontally beyond the width of the vertically disposed pole151to provide a foundation to support the pole151. This aspect provides advantages in that the upright structure150may be easily moved and repositioned and in that the upright structure150may be used without disturbing the grass or ground.

In one aspect of the invention, the base155is fixedly attached to the bottom end of the vertically disposed pole151. In another aspect of the invention, the vertically disposed pole151may be attachable to, and detachable from, the base155. This aspect may provide advantages for packaging, shipping, and storage by the manufacturer and/or retailer and for transport of the system by the player.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the vertically disposed pole151of the upright structure150may not be formed of a single object or element, but it may be modular with connections joining the modules. The modular portions have ends configured with complementary connections. To assembly this multi-part pole151, the modular portions are joined (using the complementary connections) to create a long pole-like structure151. This aspect of the invention may also provide advantages in packaging, shipping, and storage.

Typically, the separate upright structure150is freestanding and freely repositionable. But in another aspect of the invention, it may not be freely repositionable. For example, it may be permanently installed into a training facility floor or attached to a standoff from a training facility wall.

In the fourth embodiment ofFIG.9, the rotation training system of the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of harness assembly105, a separate upright structure150, and an electronics system180,190for determining at least the degree of rotation.

The electronics system180,190of the fourth embodiment includes electronic components to measure the rotation angle, a processing system, and a reporting system to report the rotation angle to the player and/or his/her trainer. The electronics system may include upright electronic components190disposed in or on the upright structure150and/or stick electronic components180disposed in or on the projecting stick120or band110. The stick electronic components180may include a rotary position sensor to transform the mechanical rotary position of the projecting stick120into electrical signals. The electrical signals are input into the processor. The stick electronic components180and/or the upright electronic components190may also include an impact sensor195, which outputs timing data to the processor. The processor outputs the degree of rotation achieved by the player before the moment of impact. The reporting system provides the angle of rotation via a display or auditory signal, such as to a local display181or to a smartphone185.

In this embodiment, the chest/waist band110has been attached to the player intending to engage in rotational movement. The projecting stick120protrudes from the chest/waist band110at the side of the player. As the player practices the swing, rotation of the player and of the projecting stick120occurs, and the projecting stick120collides with the pole151upright of the structure150. During this process, the rotational data of the movement is measured by the rotatory position sensor, and the impact data from the collision between the protruding stick120and pole151is measured by the impact sensor190.

In one aspect of the invention the rotational data from the chest/waist band110and projecting stick120as well as the impact data from the collision of the projecting stick120and upright structure is analyzed by the processor and reported on a display181on the projecting stick120and/or upright structure150. Or the data may be reported via an auditory signal.

In another aspect of the invention the rotational data from the chest/waist band110and projecting stick120as well as the impact data from the collision of the projecting stick120and upright structure is analyzed by the processor and reported on the display of a tablet, smartphone, or another personal electronic device185or may be reported via an auditory signal produced by the personal electronic device185.

The flowchart ofFIG.19provides exemplary steps160in the preferred use of the rotation training system100of the present invention. In this example, the player first trains the amount of lower body rotation, which is a first step in encouraging the rotation of the upper body both in the backswing and downswing. This has been observed to be true not only in golf (as in the illustrations) but also in other sports such as baseball and tennis.

In step161the player who will be training (or another person such as a trainer) positions the separate upright structure150in the proper position for the movement to be practiced, i.e., it is positioned appropriately to give feedback when the proper degree of rotation has been achieved. In the golf downswing, the ideal goal is 35-45 degrees of pelvic rotation. As seen inFIG.5, to practice thoracic rotation of the body during a golf swing, the upright structure150is positioned to the left of the player at a distance from the side of the player that is less than the length of the projecting stick120.

In step162, if desired any straps130that are attached to the chest/waist band110may be removed, or one end of each strap may be disconnected with one end remaining connected to allow for a quick reconnection when the chest/waist band110is moved to the chest position.

In step163the chest/waist band110is donned and positioned in the location to be trained, which in this example, is the waist, as seen inFIG.8.

In these steps, the chest/waist band110includes a closure/joining system140with one or more mated pairs of the complementary closure/joining mechanisms, so the chest/waist band110is wrapped around the player's waist. Then in step164, a first portion of the complementary joining mechanism is engaged with the complementary second portion of the joining mechanism to join the band's proximal end111and the distal end119of the band110. At this point, the projecting stick120will protrude laterally from the player's midline at the player's waist.

In this illustration the player is a golfer. In the downswing, the projecting stick120engages with the vertically disposed pole151of the separate upright structure150. Feedback (auditory, tactile, and/or electronic) is actuated by the engagement. The player's goal is to rotate his/her hips around 35-45 degrees before making impact with the ball.

Once the player has trained to rotate his/her hips consistently to about 35-45 degrees, he/she may instinctively rotate the chest the desired amount. In step166, the player's trainer assesses the chest rotation. If she/he does not open the chest sufficiently, the two-in-one chest/waist band110can be used in a further series of steps.

In step167the straps130are attached to the top of the chest/waist band110using the attachment/detachment complementary system135.

In step168, the chest/waist band110is positioned at the chest level with the shoulder straps130resting on the shoulders. In the aspect in which a mid-strap connection132is provided, the midpoint portion of complementary hook and loop material mid-strap portions of each of the left strap and the right strap may be joined at the mid-strap connection132, which allows the user to further customize the fit of the harness assembly105.

In step169, the mates of the complementary closure/joining mechanisms140are connected to hold the chest/waist band110securely in place.

In step170, the player then practices his/her swing and attempts to open the chest while causing the projecting stick120to impact the vertically disposed pole of the separate upright structure150. The player receives auditory and/or tactile feedback at the moment of impact, and, in the fourth embodiment, also receives electronic or digital feedback.

The dual waist and chest positioning allows the sport training system100of the present invention to be used as a two-in-one device. Once the player gains the feel for a proper lower body sequence by wearing the chest/waist band110at the waist level (steps161to165), the player may additionally wear the chest/waist band110as a chest harness to ensure that his/her upper body opens prior to impact (steps167to170). Consequently, the golf player is able achieve pointing the front of his/her chest beyond the ball and down range, in the direction of the intended target.

The sport training system100may be used by right-handed or left-handed players. Typically, a right-handed player dons the chest/waist band110in a position in which the projecting stick120protrudes from the left side of his/her body. Typically, a left-handed player dons the chest/waist band110in a position in which the projecting stick120protrudes from the right side of his/her body. However, players with either dexterity may wear the chest/waist band110in the opposite orientation to practice other motions. These two orientations can be achieved by merely turning the chest/waist band110approximately 180 degrees. In another aspect, a portion of the attachment/detachment complementary system135may be disposed on both the upper and lower portions of the band110to allow easy inversion of the band110for use by players with either dexterity.

The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.