US20020115496A1

US20020115496A1 - Golf swing training aid

Info

Publication number: US20020115496A1
Application number: US10/022,652
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy Day; Michelangelo Marcantonio
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-20
Filing date: 2001-12-13
Publication date: 2002-08-22

Abstract

A golf swing training aid that can be used by men, women, juniors and senior golfers whether they are right or left handed. A golf swing training aid that can be used indoors and outdoors, on natural grass or artificial surfaces. A golf swing training aid that can be used by a golfer using his/her own equipment while hitting golf balls. This golf swing training aid allows a golfer to receive instant feedback, allowing him/her to make swing changes for improved ball striking. A golf swing training aid that consists of two tube (-10) with pliable duct (-18), and plastic flex hose (-20) inside of tube (-10) connected by two connecting strips (-16). This golf swing training aid can be bent/curved to various arcs to allow a golfer to practice proper swing path for a variety of shots including woods, irons, chipping, putting, bunker shots, uneven lies and more.

Description

BACKGROUND—CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/256553 filed Dec. 20, 2000.[0001]

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to golf training aids that are used for improving a golfer's swing.

BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

As plentiful as golf-training aids are, most of them fail to give proper, accurate and most importantly “instant” feedback. An ideal training aid allows a golfer to practice their game using his/her own golf clubs. This practice should include all 14 clubs in a golfer's bag.

Most training aids neglect this point. An ideal training aid should allow a golfer to hit real golf balls. This would allow any golfer to see immediate results of their practice. Many training aids prevent a golfer from this benefit. An ideal training aid should not be suitable for just right handed or just left handed golfers. Many training aids cannot be used by both right and left handed golfers without purchasing a specified right or left-handed aid. An ideal training aid should not be gender biased. Both men and women should be able to use the same training aid. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Since many club manufacturers produce women's clubs with a smaller grip diameter than men's clubs, lighter weighted clubhead, lighter weighted shaft than men's, and a shorter length shaft than men's, this makes it very difficult for both genders to use the same training aid. Unfortunately, junior golfers, children under the age of 18, are also subjected to trying to adapt to an adult sized training aid. Some current training aids are too heavy, too long, and wrong sizes for a junior golfer to receive the benefit of those training aids. Some training aids are limited by only being effective indoors or in low lighting situations. Furthermore, senior golfers that fall in the age group of over 50 years old cannot use certain training aids. Some of these aids are just too heavy.

Most training aids are designed to help only one part of a golfer's game. Some are designed to help improve putting, others are designed to help a golfer's full swing. While others are designed to help improve chipping and bunker skills. Still other training aids are designed to help golfers feel various aspects of their swing. Other aids teach mechanical aspects of a golf swing. We are unaware of one single golf training aid which has been designed to help a golfer's entire game. A golfer's entire game which includes full swing, chipping, pitching, bunker shots, putting and all clubs in their bag. Very few training aids have been designed for men, women, juniors, and seniors; left and right handed golfers.

SUMMARY

Gender, age, right or left handed, indoor or outdoor use, not being able to use a golfer's own golf clubs and hit golf balls while practicing are the current restrictions and limitations of golfs training aids. Currently, there is a need for one training aid that can be used by every golfer to improve all aspects of their game of golf.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are as follows:

a) A golf swing training aid that can provide instant feedback

b) A golf swing training aid that allows a golfer to use his/her own clubs

c) A golf swing training aid that allows a golfer to use every club in their bag

d) A golf swing training aid that allows a golfer to hit real golf balls

e) A golf swing training aid that can be used by both left and right handed golfers

f) A golf swing training aid that can be used by both men and women

g) A golf swing training aid that can be used by junior golfers (children under the age of 18)

h) A golf swing training aid that can be used in both indoor and outdoor lighting situations

i) A golf swing training aid that helps to improve more than one facet of a golfer's game (i.e. full swing, putting, chipping, pitching, woods, and bunker shots)

j) A golf swing training aid that can be used by senior golfers

Further objects and advantages are to allow a golfer to receive instant feedback while practicing hitting golf balls with his/her own clubs. Instant feedback will allow a golfer to make adjustments in his/her own shot making abilities. Instant feedback from our golf swing training aid will benefit a golfer in several ways. Further objects and advantages of our golf swing training aid will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top view of all individual pieces of training aid. [0019]
FIG. 1-A is a perspective view of non-flat pieces of training aid. [0020]
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of training aid that is partially assembled. [0021]
FIG. 2-A is a side view that shows partial assembly. [0022]
FIG. 3 is a cross section view of partial assembly. [0023]
FIG. 4 is a cross section view of partial assembly. [0024]
FIG. 5 is a top view of training aid assembled.[0025]

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0026]

10 pipe insulation tube 12 flexible cutting board strip

14A Velcro 14B Velcro

16 connecting strip 18 pliable duct

20 plastic flex hose 22 end cap

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 2 (bottom view) [0027]
FIG. 2 shows where Velcro-[0028] 14A is attached to bottom of pipe insulation tube-10. Tube-10 is hollow. However, tube-10 can consist of any other material that can be repeatedly bent or hit without fracturing or tearing, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, nylon, rubber, leather, various impregnated or laminated fibrous materials, various plasticized materials, cardboard, paper, etc.
FIG. 2A (side view) [0029]
FIG. 2-A shows how to attach Velcro-[0030] 14B to strip-12. For simplicity, connecting strip-16 is a finished view of strip-12 and Velcro-14B after they are attached together. However, connecting strip-16 can consist of any other material that can be repeatedly attached or hit without fracturing or tearing, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, nylon, rubber, leather, various impregnated or laminated fibrous materials, various plasticized materials, cardboard, paper, etc.
FIG. 3 (cross section view) [0031]
FIG. 3 shows a cross section view partially assembled. Tube-[0032] 10 is hollow. Tube-10 has pliable duct-18 through opening of tube-10. Pliable duct-18 is centered in tube-10.
FIG. 4 (cross section view) [0033]
FIG. 4 shows a cross section view partially assembled. Tube-[0034] 10 is hollow. Tube-10 has pliable duct-18 through opening of tube-10. Pliable duct-18 is centered in tube-10. Hose-18 is inserted into ends of tube-10.
FIG. 5 (top view) [0035]
FIG. 5 shows an assembled golf swing training aid. Tube-[0036] 10 is attached to other tube-10 with connecting strip-16 near both ends.

Description of Invention

FIG. 1 (top view) [0037]
Our golf swing training aid is both simple and has very few pieces as shown is FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows six materials used for our golf swing training aid. These six materials are pipe insulation tube-[0038] 10, strip-12, Velcro-14A, Velcro-14B, pliable duct-18, hose-18 and end cap-22. FIG. 1 also shows finished product of flexible cutting board strip-12 and Velcro-14B resulting in connecting strip-16. See FIG. 2-A for attachment of strip-12 and Velcro-14B. Tube-10 is pipe insulation that is 152.4 centimeters long, and is hollow. Inside diameter of opening of tube-10 is 3.175 centimeters. Outside diameter of tube-10 is 5.715 centimeters. Wall thickness of tube-10 is 1.27 centimeters. Flexible cutting board strip-12 is 2.54 centimeters wide and 38.1 centimeters long. Velcro-14A is 2.54 centimeters wide and 19.05 centimeters long. Velcro-14A is 2.54 centimeters wide and 38.1 centimeters long. Pliable duct-18 has a 3.175 centimeters outside diameter and is 91.44 centimeters long.
Flex hose-[0039] 18 has a 3.175 centimeters outside diameter and is 27.94 centimeters long. End cap-22 has a 3.175 centimeters outside diameter and is 2.54 centimeters long. Paint used is Spies Hecker Permacron 121 elastic primer surfacer #3300 (beige color). Paint is mixed with Spies Hecker Permacron 121 elastic primer surfacer hardener #3301. This special mixture is similar to paint sprayed onto Nerf Footballs.
Cut length of tube-[0040] 10 so that overall length is 152.4 centimeters long. Insert 91.44 centimeters of pliable flex hose-18 into center of tube-10 This will leave 30.48 centimeters on both ends of pliable flex hose-18 to end of tube-10 (see FIG. 3). Insert 27.94 centimeters long hose-18 at both ends of tube-10 (see FIG. 4). Insert end cap-22 at both ends of tube-10
Affix Velcro-[0041] 14A to bottom of tube-10. This step is repeated on other end of tube-10 (see FIG. 2). Affix Velcro-14B to cutting board strip-12 (see FIG. 2-A). Attach finished connecting strip-16 to Velcro-14A on bottom of tube-10. Stamp product name onto top of tube-10 Stamp phone number onto bottom of tube-10.

Operation of Invention

Set-up and operation of our golf swing training aid is simple and easy to do. [0042]
1. Remove connecting strip-[0043] 16 from Velcro-14A on bottom of tube-10.
2. Attach connecting strip-[0044] 16 perpendicular to Velcro-14A on bottom of tube-10 Repeat this step with other connecting strip-16 at other end of tube-10 Connect unattached end of connecting strip-16 to Velcro-14A on bottom of second tube-10 as shown in FIG. 5. Repeat this step with other connecting strip-16 and Velcro-14A at other end of second tube-10.
3. Grab each end of one tube-[0045] 10 and bend towards each other, and then release. Golfer may then adjust curve of tube-10 to personal preferences.
4. Golf swing training aid is now ready for use as shown in FIG. 5. [0046]
After assembling our golf swing training aid a golfer can begin practicing. Our golf training aid can be used by beginner, intermediate, and advanced golfers. All level of golfers can use this golf swing training aid for chipping, pitching, putting, bunker shots, and full swings with woods and irons. A description below is for full swing practice. [0047]
1. A beginner golfer would see more improvement by using our golf-training aid without a golf ball. Practice sessions that begin with a half-swing, then three-quarter swings, and concluding with full swings. A beginner would be able to groove their swings more easily and quickly. [0048]
2. An intermediate golfer should start by not using a golf ball. He/She should practice ½, ¾ and fill swings until they become comfortable using training aid. Once he/she is confident of their swing, they should use a golf ball. [0049]
3. Advanced golfers can bend/curve our golf-training aid to their desired swing path. Once this is done, he/she can begin hitting golf balls. [0050]
A golfer will bend each tube-[0051] 10 into desired curve. A golfer then places a ball on the ground (or onto a golf tee, if so desired). He/She then swings and hits a golf ball without hitting either tube-10 Correct and repeatable swings are created/learned while using our golf swing training aid. Distance between each tube -10 is adjustable. A golfer can make it very easy or very difficult. Maximum space between each tube-10 will help a student's confidence. As a golfer's swing improves, spacing between each tube-10 can be narrowed. This procedure can be applied for chipping, pitching, bunker shots, and even putting.

Theory of Operation

We believe that this golf swing training aid helps a golfer to make a more consistent and improved swing. We believe that a golfer will find center between both tubes. Many adjustments are made until this end is met. We believe that this golf swing training aid is the best training aid to help fix an over the top golf swing. While we believe that a golfer will learn to find center of both tubes during practice, we do not wish to be bound by this. [0052]

Conclusion, Ramifications and Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see that this golf swing training aid can be used by men, women, junior and senior golfers that are right or left handed. Also noted is that this golf swing training aid can be used by a golfer while hitting golf balls and using his/her own golf clubs. This golf swing training aid also can be used indoors or outdoors whether it is being used on grass hitting areas or artificial turf areas. This golf swing training aid allows a golfer to receive instant feedback, allowing him/her to make swing changes for improved ball striking. While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the golf swing training aid, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Other variations are possible. For example, if a golfer were to use our golf swing training aid for alignment aid for his/her feet; or to use them for landing areas on the putting green while chipping or pitching, etc. Other variations may include using shorter or longer tubes; larger or smaller diameter tubes. Tubes, flex hose, pliable duct, and connecting strips can be made of similar or different materials and/or colors, or using a different method of connecting both tubes. Accordingly, the scope of the golf swing training aid should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. [0053]

Claims

We claim:

1. A golf swing training aid comprising

A. an elongated core-element means whereby manipulation of said elongated core-element, and

B. an elongated holder surrounding and encasing said elongated core-element means, and

C. attachment of connecting means of said elongated holder to a second elongated holder,

whereby said elongated holder protects said elongated core-element means from breakage and provides an enlarged means for holding said elongated core-element means conveniently.