Patent Document

This invention is a divisional application of application No. 10/735,227 filed Dec. 12, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,243, which is a Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 10/208,472 filed Jul. 29, 2002 now abandoned, which is a continuation of application No. 09/735,015 filed Dec. 12, 2000, now abandoned. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to golf clubs and more particularly to golf training devices and methods for teaching optimum and correct putting and chipping which can be integrated into golf clubs or used as a separate and removable attachment for attaching to the hand grip of golf clubs. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Position and form are very important in golf for achieving an accurate stroke. When swinging a golf club, particularly during putting and chipping, the desired position is one in which the arms form an approximate triangular formation with respect to the golf club. Such a position enables the larger muscles of the upper arm, back and shoulders, not the muscles of the wrist and forearm, to be used throughout a putting or chipping stroke. Unfortunately, what commonly happens is that a golfer uses the smaller muscles of the wrist and forearm when putting and chipping which results in disaster caused by the forward wrist breaking down in the putt or chip. 
   Thus, a need exists for solutions such as devices to train golfers in the proper form and stroke, particularly for putting and chipping shots. 
   The inventors are aware of various patents directed toward training and educating golfers, but none like the present invention. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,523 to Sheftic describes a golf training device having a bent tubular configuration that requires an “end 30 shaped to contact the body of a golfer when the golfer fails to pivot or maintain a solid leading arm”, column 3, lines 5–7. In essence the device is not intended to continuously contact the body of a golfer to maintain triangulation for putting and chipping shots. 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,320,354 and 5,470,073 to Vasquez each describe various golf instructional devices that generally require multiple screw type fasteners that must be individually manipulated in order for the instructional device to work. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,064 to Barber discloses a golf club training device that requires a club modification and consists of an attachment which fits over a modified handle of a golf club. U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,054 to Rodarte discloses a new golf club grip that attaches to the top of a shaft of the club and is angled forward to rest against the rear arm of the golfer, rather than the forward arm as does the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,146 to Viets, et al. discloses a putting trainer that attaches in the hole on top of a putter and has a crossbar with two U-channels at each end to engage both arms and hold them in a proper position during a swing. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,273,416 to Norwood discloses yet another golf swing training device that wraps around the shaft and has a strap which wraps around the rear wrist. U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,073 to Vasquez teaches another device that fits over the top of the shaft and has one or two wrist collars extending therefrom. U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,624 to Martinez discloses another arm holding device that attaches to the top of a golf club. U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,780 to Marier, Jr. discloses a putting practice device that is secured by a golf tee on the top of the shaft of the club and has a curved front to rest against the wrist of the front arm and holes to adjust the placement thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,892 to Karp discloses a golf club positioning and holding training device with a form-fitting grip that attaches to the standard grip of a golf club and uses an audible whistle to indicate a proper swing. 
   Although the prior art discloses many golf club training aids that are designed to hold the forearms during the swing, none is like the present invention which rests only against the front forearm to hold the arms in the proper triangular arrangement and anatomical position with respect to the shoulders and spine during putting and chipping. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a golf teaching and training tool and method to teach proper form during a golf swing, primarily putting and chipping. 
   A secondary object of the present invention is to provide such a golf teaching and training device and method that does not require golf club modification. 
   A third object of the present invention is to provide such a golf teaching and training device and method that can be removably affixed to golf clubs as needed. 
   A fourth object of the present invention is to provide such a golf teaching and training device and method that can be used for both left and right hand players and cross-handed players. 
   A fifth object of the present invention is to provide such a golf teaching and training device and method that is easy and quick to use as compared to the prior art, and does not require plural pieces to assemble, and use. 
   A sixth object of the present invention is to provide such a golf teaching and training device and method that can fit on all clubs having standard round or pistal type grips, or any other grips. 
   The invention devices and methods fulfills the above and other objects by providing a golf training device that has a forearm plate which can be integral or separate and removably attached to a golf club. The forearm plate is preferably narrower at a proximal end from the golf club and is wider at a distal end, which is slightly concave at a point of contact with a lower inner forward arm of a golfer. The plate is attached to the top of the handle of a golf club by fastening portion. The fastening portion can include an attachment socket having a threaded hole and adjustment screw to secure a clamp plate tightly against the hand grip of the golf club. The plate can be both bent and twisted at angles to the golf club handle. The bent angle between the golf club and the arm plate is preferably approximately 45 degrees so as to achieve the proper triangular formation of the arms from the position on the hand grip to the golfer&#39;s shoulder. The twisted angle can be approximately 15 degrees. 
   The invention can be formed into a single piece of metal with the adjustment screw being separate. Alteratively, the invention can be molded into a single piece of plastic, with only one separate adjustment screw added on. 
   Another version of the invention can have the training device permanently affixed to the handle, so that the training device can be sold and always used with the club. 
   A still another version can have a training device with two upwardly extending (double) plates extending upward in opposite directions for allowing both the forward and the trailing forearm to be maintained in the correct triangular position with the shoulders throughout the swing. Thus, the shoulder and back muscles are used to optimize the stroke. The hands and the wrist stay passive and do not bend and twist. 
   The double plate version can also be formed into a single piece of metal with a separate adjustment screw. Alternatively, the invention can be molded into a single piece of plastic, with only one adjustment screw needed for use. 
   A still another version has the upwardly extending double plates permanently affixed to the handgrip of the golf club. 
   Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the golf training device. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the golf training device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the golf training device of  FIG. 2  rotated 90 degrees about the x-axis. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear view of the golf training device of  FIG. 2  rotated 90 degrees about the y-axis. 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the golf training device of  FIG. 2  rotated 180 degrees about the x-axis. 
       FIG. 6   a  is a close-up view of the bottom of the golf training device showing a cross section of a golf club grip as inserted in the attachment socket of the golf training device. 
       FIG. 6   b  is a close-up view of the bottom of the golf training device showing a cross section of a golf club grip as inserted in the attachment socket of the golf training device with the clamp plate positioned against the golf club grip by way of the adjustment screw and the adjustment screw knob. 
       FIGS. 7A to 7D  are cross sectional views of the various shapes of golf club grips that can be accommodated by the golf training device. 
       FIG. 8  is an inverted front perspective view of the golf training device of  FIG. 1  with the forearm plate in a downward vertical position. 
       FIG. 9A  is a side view of the golf training device of  FIG. 8  rotated 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis of the forearm plate and as taken along line A—A of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 9B  is a view of the golf training device of  FIG. 9A  rotated 90 degrees about a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the forearm plate and perpendicular to the surface of the forearm plate. 
       FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the golf training device of  FIG. 8  rotated 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis of the forearm plate. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the golf training device mounted to the grip of a golf club putter. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the golf training device detached from the grip of the golf club putter. 
       FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the subject invention as an integral part of the golf club grip of a golf club putter for a right-handed golfer. 
       FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the subject invention as an integral part of the golf club grip of a golf club iron for a right-handed golfer. 
       FIG. 13B  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the subject invention as an integral part of the golf club grip of a golf club putter for a left-handed golfer. 
       FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the subject invention as an integral part of the golf club grip of a golf club iron for a left-handed golfer. 
       FIG. 15  is front view of the golf club putter of  FIG. 13A  as viewed with the face of the clubhead of the golf club putter perpendicular to the view of the observer. 
       FIG. 16  is a top view of the golf club putter of  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 17  is side view of the golf club putter of  FIG. 15  as viewed with the toe of the clubhead of the golf club putter directed to the view of the observer. 
       FIG. 18  is a partial view of the golf club putter of  FIG. 15  with the golf club rotated so that the forearm plate is perpendicular to the view of an observer. 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a right-handed golfer holding the golf club putter with the golf training device of  FIG. 13A  at the beginning of the golf stroke. 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a right-handed golfer holding the golf club putter of  FIG. 13A  in the center of the golf stroke. 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a right-handed golfer holding the golf club putter of  FIG. 13A  at the follow through of the golf stroke. 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a left-handed golfer holding the golf club putter of  FIG. 13B  in the center of the golf stroke. 
       FIG. 23  is a front perspective view of the third embodiment of the golf training device with dual forearm plates. 
       FIG. 24  is a top view of the golf training device of  FIG. 23 . 
       FIG. 25  is a side view of the golf training device of  FIG. 24  rotated 90 degrees about the x-axis. 
       FIG. 26  is a bottom view of the golf training device of  FIG. 24  rotated 180 degrees about the x-axis. 
       FIG. 27  is a side view of the golf training device of  FIG. 24  rotated 90 degrees about the y-axis. 
       FIG. 28  is a view of the third embodiment of the golf training device taken along line B—B of  FIG. 26 . 
       FIG. 29  is a view of the golf training device of  FIG. 28  rotated 90 degrees about a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the right forearm plate and perpendicular to the plane of the right forearm plate and rotated 90 degrees about a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the right forearm plate and parallel to the plane of the right forearm plate. 
       FIG. 30  is a view of the golf training device of  FIG. 28  rotated 90 degrees about a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the right forearm plate and perpendicular to the plane of the right forearm plate. 
       FIG. 31  is a view of the golf training device of  FIG. 30  rotated 90 degrees about a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the right forearm plate and parallel to the plane of the right forearm plate. 
       FIG. 32  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the golf training device with dual forearm plates as a removable attachment that is mounted to the grip of a golf club putter. 
       FIG. 33  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the golf training device with dual forearm plates fabricated as an integral part of the golf club grip of a golf club putter. 
       FIG. 34  is a perspective view of a golfer holding the golf club putter of  FIG. 33 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
   For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows: 
     1 . training device 
     2 . forearm plate 
     3 . proximal end of forearm plate 
     4 . distal end of forearm plate 
     5 . attachment socket 
     6 . adjustment screw knob 
     7 . adjustment screw 
     8 . clamp plate 
     9 . bottom of clamp plate 
     10 . threaded hole 
     20 . golf club putter 
     21 . golf club grip 
     30 . second embodiment of golf training device 
     40 . golf club putter 
     41 . golf club grip 
     42 . clubhead 
     43 . face 
     44 . toe 
     50 . golf club iron 
     51 . golf club grip 
     60 . golfer 
     61 . left arm 
     62 . right arm 
     70 . third embodiment of golf training device 
     71 . left forearm plate 
     72 . right forearm plate 
     80 . fourth embodiment of golf training device 
     90 . golf club putter 
     91 . golf club grip 
     FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the golf training device  1 .  FIG. 2  is a top view of the golf training device  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a side view of the golf training device  1  of  FIG. 2  rotated 90 degrees about the x-axis.  FIG. 4  is a rear view of the golf training device  1  of  FIG. 2  rotated 90 degrees about the y-axis.  FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the golf training device  1  of  FIG. 2  rotated 180 degrees about the x-axis.  FIG. 6   a  is a close-up view of the bottom of the golf training device  1  showing a cross section of a golf club grip  21  as inserted in the attachment socket  5  of the golf training device  1 .  FIG. 6   b  is a close-up view of the bottom of the golf training device  1  showing a cross section of a golf club grip  21  as inserted in the attachment socket  5  of the golf training device  1  with the clamp plate  8  positioned against the golf club grip  21  by way of the adjustment screw  7  and the adjustment screw knob  6 .  FIGS. 7A to 7D  are cross sectional views of the various shapes of golf club grips  9  that can be accommodated by the golf training device  1 .  FIG. 8  is an inverted front perspective view of the golf training device  1  of  FIG. 1  with the forearm plate  2  in a downward vertical position.  FIG. 9A  is a side view of the golf training device  1  of  FIG. 8  rotated 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis of the forearm plate  2  and as taken along line A—A of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 9B  is a view of the golf training device  1  of  FIG. 9A  rotated 90 degrees about a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the forearm plate  2  and perpendicular to surface of the forearm plate  2 .  FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the golf training device  1  of  FIG. 8  rotated 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis of the forearm plate.  FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the golf training device  1  mounted to the grip  21  of a golf club putter  20 .  FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the golf training device detached from the grip  21  of the golf club putter  20 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–5 , the golf training device  1  includes a forearm plate  2  that is shaped in a manner that is a wider, almost fan-shaped, distal end  4  that is slightly concave so that it wraps around the lower inner forward forearm of the golfer. The forearm plate  2  is narrower at its proximal end  3  where it is connected to a club attachment socket  5  that is releasably attached to the golf club. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the longitudinal axis of the forearm plate  2  is preferably twisted at an angle of up to approximately 15 degrees, preferably between approximately 5 degrees to approximately 15 degree angle to the x-axis of the golf training device  1 . The plate  2  is preferably bent at approximately 30 to approximately 45 degrees, preferably approximately 45 degrees. Thus, the device can be both bent and twisted. 
   The most notable feature of the golf training device  1  shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , not previously described in detail, is the attachment socket  5 . The attachment socket  5  contains a threaded hole  10  for inserting an adjustment screw  7 . Clamp plate  8  is rotatably affixed to adjustment screw  7  so that the clamp plate  8  is positioned toward the center of the attachment socket  5  as the adjustment screw  7  and adjustment screw knob  6  are rotated in a clockwise direction. 
     FIG. 6A  shows a close-up bottom view of the golf training device  1  as it would appear before attachment to a grip  21 , shown in cross-section, after the grip  21  has been inserted into attachment socket  5  of the golf training device  1 .  FIG. 6B  shows a close-up bottom view of the golf training device  1  as it would appear attached to a grip  21 , shown in cross-section, of the golf club  20 . The bottom surface  9  of the clamp plate  8  contacts the side of the golf club grip  21 . The golf training device  1  is secured to the grip  21  by turning the adjustment screw knob  6  on the adjustment screw  7  extending through the hole  10  in the attachment socket  5  so that it presses the clamp plate  8  against the side of the golf club  20  so the golf club grip  21  is secured firmly between the clamp plate  8  and the rear inner surface  11  of the attachment socket  5 . Once the golf training device  1  is firmly attached, it can be used during play or practice. Once a golfer has completed his or her practice, the golf training device  1  can by easily removed by turning adjustment screw knob  6  in the opposite direction and removing it from the golf club  20 . 
     FIGS. 7A to 7D  show cross sectional views of the various shapes of golf club grips  21  that can be accommodated by the attachment socket  5  of golf training device  1 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8–10 , the surface of the forearm plate  2  is bent at approximately a 45 degree angle to the bottom of the attachment socket  5  of the golf training device  1 .  FIG. 9B  shows that the surface of the forearm plate  2  is slanted at approximately a 15 degree angle to the y-axis of the golf trainer device  1 . 
     FIG. 11  shows the golf training device  1  attached to golf club grip  21  of golf club putter  20  for a right-handed golfer.  FIG. 12  shows the golf training device  1  detached from the golf club grip  21  of golf club  20 . 
     FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the golf training device  30  fabricated as an integral part of the golf club grip  41  of the golf club putter  40  for use by a right-handed golfer.  FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the golf training device  30  fabricated as an integral part of the golf club grip  51  of the golf club iron  50  for use by a right-handed golfer. 
     FIG. 13B  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the golf training device  30 ′ fabricated as an integral part of the golf club grip  41 ′ of the golf club putter  40 ′ for use by a left-handed golfer.  FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the golf training device  30 ′ fabricated as an integral part of the golf club grip  51 ′ of the golf club  50 ′ iron for use by a left-handed golfer. 
     FIG. 15  is front view of the golf club putter  40  of  FIG. 13A  as viewed with the face  43  of the clubhead  42  of the golf club putter  40  perpendicular to the view of the observer.  FIG. 16  is a top view of the golf club putter  40  of  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 17  is side view of the golf club putter  40  of  FIG. 15  as viewed with the toe  44  of the clubhead  42  of the golf club putter  40  directed toward the view of the observer.  FIG. 18  is a partial view of the golf club putter  40  of  FIG. 15  with the golf club putter  40  rotated so that the forearm plate  2  is perpendicular to the view of an observer. 
     FIGS. 19–22  shows the training device  1  attached to the golf club putter  40  as it would appear when being used by the golfer  60 . The use of the golf training device  1  of the present invention results in the arms  61  and  62  of the golfer being placed in a desired triangular formation so that it is the large muscles of the upper arms and shoulders which participate in the stroke, rather than the smaller muscles of the wrists and lower forearms.  FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the right-handed golfer  60  holding the golf club putter  40  with the golf training device  30  of  FIG. 13A  at the beginning of the golf stroke.  FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the right-handed golfer  60  holding the golf club putter  40  of  FIG. 13A  in the center of the golf stroke.  FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the right-handed golfer  60  holding the golf club putter  40  of  FIG. 13A  at the follow-through of the golf stroke. 
     FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the left-handed golfer  60 ′ holding the golf club putter  40 ′ of  FIG. 13B  in the center of the golf stroke. The forearm plate  2  of the golf club putter  40 ′ is positioned against the right arm  62 ′ of golfer  60 ′.  FIG. 23  is a front perspective view of the third embodiment of the golf training device  70  including left forearm plate  71  and right forearm plate  72  attached to attachment socket  5 .  FIG. 24  is a top view of the golf training device  70  of  FIG. 23 .  FIG. 25  is a side view of the golf training device  70  of  FIG. 24  rotated 90 degrees about the x-axis.  FIG. 26  is a bottom view of the golf training device  70  of  FIG. 24  rotated 180 degrees about the x-axis.  FIG. 27  is a side view of the golf training device  70  of  FIG. 24  rotated 90 degrees about the y-axis.  FIG. 28  is a view of the third embodiment of the golf training device  70  taken along line B—B of  FIG. 26 .  FIG. 29  is a view of the golf training device  70  of  FIG. 28  rotated 90 degrees about a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the right forearm plate  72  and perpendicular to the plane of the right forearm plate  72  and rotated 90 degrees about a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the right forearm plate  72  and parallel to the plane of the right forearm plate  72 . 
     FIG. 30  is a view of the golf training device  70  of  FIG. 28  rotated 90 degrees about a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the right forearm plate  72  and perpendicular to the plane of the right forearm plate  72 .  FIG. 31  is a view of the golf training device  70  of  FIG. 30  rotated 90 degrees about a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the right forearm plate  72  and parallel to the plane of the right forearm plate  72 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 24–27 , the longitudinal axis of the right forearm plate  72  is bent at approximately a 15 degree angle to the x axis of golf training device  70  in a direction away from the body of the golfer when the golf training device  70  is attached to the golf grip  21  of the golf club  20 . The longitudinal axis of the left forearm plate  71  is bent at approximately a 15 degree angle to the x-axis in the opposite direction of the right forearm plate  72  and in a direction away from the body of the golfer when the golf training device  70  is attached to the golf grip  21  of the golf club  20 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 30 , the surface of the right forearm plate  72  is slanted at approximately a 15 degree angle to the y-axis of the golf trainer device  70 . The surface of the left forearm plate  71  is slanted at approximately a 15 degree angle to the y-axis of the golf trainer device  70  in the opposite direction of the right forearm plate  72 . 
     FIG. 32  shows the golf training device  70  attached to golf club grip  21  of golf club putter  20  for use by a left-handed or right-handed golfer. The golf training device  70  is secured to the golf club grip  21  of the golf club putter  20  by turning the adjustment screw knob  6  of attachment socket  5 . 
     FIG. 33  shows a fourth embodiment of the golf training device  80  fabricated as an integral part of the golf club grip  91  of the golf club putter  90 . 
     FIG. 34  is a perspective view of the golfer  60  holding the golf club putter  90  with integral golf training device  80  of  FIG. 33 . The use of the golf training device  80  of the present invention results in the arms  61  and  62  of the golfer being placed in a desired triangular formation so that it is the large muscles of the upper arms and shoulders which participate in the stroke, rather than the smaller muscles of the wrists and lower forearms. 
   The novel attachment device can be formed from metal such as but not limited to stainless steel, aluminum, and the like, into a single piece with a separate screw knob. 
   Alternatively, the novel invention as an attachment device can be preferably molded from and into a single piece of plastic, where only the screw knob and an internal piece are separately added. 
   While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

Technology Category: 1