WO1996002304A1

WO1996002304A1 - Golf swing line of sight indicator

Info

Publication number: WO1996002304A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000447
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oscar Bevz
Original assignee: Oscar Bevz
Priority date: 1994-07-19
Filing date: 1995-07-19
Publication date: 1996-02-01

Abstract

An indicating device (32) for correcting, improving and/or maintaining a golfer's technique; comprising at least one indicating vane (39) supported directly or indirectly along or near at least one edge by a support member (34) wherein each at least one vane has at least an indicating edge (41) and at least one indicating surface (44) such that either the indicating edge (41) alone or the indicating edge and at least one indicating surface (44) is/are visible to golfer according to the attitude of the vane relative to the line of sight of the user, such that when the line of sight is co-incident with the plane of said at least one vane only the indicating edge is visible and when the line of sight is at an angle to the plane of the vane the indicating edge (41) and said at least one indicating surface (44) are visible.

Description

GOLF SWING LINE OF SIGHT INDICATOR

The present invention relates generally to golfing aids and more particularly, relates to a device for correcting, improving and maintaining golf swing technique.

The most important aspect of a golfers game is the swing and it is this which, in most cases, determines the skill level of a golfer. The swing is notoriously the hardest part of the golfer's game to perfect with the hitting result highly sensitive to incorrect body position.

There are a number of aspects of swing technique which must be perfected before a golf ball can be hit hard, straight and true. Firstly, the stance of the golfer must be properly balanced. Secondly, the golfer's head must not move until after the ball is hit and thirdly, the arm and wrist action must be correct. Generally, it can be said that if the head is maintained in the correct position during the swing, the swing technique is far more likely to be good.

If the head deviates during the swing, the golfer usually achieves bad results. It is the first and second aspects of the golfer's swing referred to above, namely, the stance and the head position to which the present invention is directed. One of the hardest aspects of the golf swing to master is to ensure that the head is kept down with eyes on the ball throughout the swing. If the head is lifted up during the swing almost invariably the ball is either missed altogether, mis-hit or hit off-line. It takes considerable self discipline for the uninitiated, for the inexperienced and even for the experienced golfer to concentrate on keeping the head down until the ball has been hit. Very often the inexperienced golfer will not even realise that the head has moved during the swing.

The present invention provides an indicating device for correcting a golfer's swing which automatically signals to the user either head a_^nd/or body movement during the golf swing. More particularly, the invention comprises a device having at least one indicating vane which has contrasting indicating colours with each colour providing a signal to the user of movement of the head and/or body in a particular direction. In one broad form the present invention comprises; an indicating device for correcting, maintaining and/or improving a golfer's swing technique; the device comprising; at least one indicator vane mounted on a support means, wherein, said at least one vane is disposed in an attitude which enables a golfer to monitor certain body movements during the swing by sensing a colour change in the at least one vane according to a particular type of body movement.

According to one embodiment the device comprises multiple vanes each having an indicating edge with a first indicator colour, a first indicating surface with a second indicator colour and a second indicating surface including the second indicator colour or a third indicator colour. The indicator vanes are ideally disposed vertically or substantially vertically to detect side to side movement of the head and/or lateral body sway.

According to another broad form of the apparatus aspect, the invention comprises; an indicating device for correcting, maintaining and/or improving a golfer's swing technique, the device comprising; at least one indicating vane disposed in a first plane, at least one other indicating vane disposed in a second plane, means for supporting the vanes so they are able to mutually co-operate, at least first and second indicator colours on each of the vanes, wherein the second indicator colour or third indicator colour when in the line of sight of a user, signal to the user that the head and/or body has undergone movement away from a reference point where only the first indicator colour is sighted on each and all of the vanes.

According to one embodiment the invention comprises a device for correcting the swing of a golfer comprising an array of vanes at least two of which are disposed in parallel vertical planes and at least one of which is disposed in a plane at an angle to the parallel planes so that the edge of each vane is presented to the eye of a golfer.

In its broadest form, the present invention comprises; an indicating device for correcting, improving and/or maintaining a golfer's swing technique; the device comprising; at least one indicating vane supported directly or indirectly along or near at least one edge by a support member wherein each at least one vane has at least an indicating edge and at least one indicating surface, such that either the indicating edge alone or the indicating edge and at least one other indicating surface is/are visible to the golfer according to the attitude of the vane relative to the line of sight of the user, such that when the line of sight is co-incident with the plane of said at least one vane only the indicating edge is visible and when the line of sight is at an angle to the plane of the vane the indicating edge and said at least one indicating surface are visible.

Preferably each indicating vane comprises a second indicating surface which is visible to the golfer when the first surface is not visible.

According to a preferred embodiment the device comprises two co-operating vanes which are mounted on a common ground engaging base. The first of the vanes engages the base via tabs which locate in slots formed in the base. The second vane also engages the base via tabs and interengages the first vane so that the first vane is able to rotate relative to the second vane. The second vane has an opening in which a part of the first vane moves and a bridge portion which engages a slot in the first vane thereby guiding the first vane when it is rotated relative to the second vane.

In an alternative form of the apparatus aspect the present invention comprises; an indicating device wherein said ground engaging base comprises; spaced apart upper and lower members which define a space therebetween, the upper member having a cut out which exposes a recess formed by the upper and lower members wherein the at least one vane engages the periphery of the recess and whose lower edge is free to move within said recess such that the angle of the at least one vane is adjustable relative to the plane of the base.

In an alternative form the present invention comprises; a kit for assembling an indicating device as hereinbefore described, the kit comprising, a generally planar member including profiled elements which can be pressed out of the planar body due to a partial discontinuity which at least partially isolates the profiled elements from the body, wherein the elements comprise a base member and a first and second vane, wherein the first and second vanes connect with the base and mutually co-operate so that the first vane is able to rotate relative to the second vane and is held in a preselected attitude by the second vane

Preferably the elements are defined by a peripheral cut which separates the elements from the planar member but allows them to remain in frictional engagement with the member until they are pressed out prior to assembly of the device

The present invention will now be described in more detail according to preferred but non limiting embodiments and with reference to the accompanying illustrations wherein:

Figure 1 : shows a device for correcting and maintaining a golfer's swing technique according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the device of figure 1, Figure 3 shows a golfing aid device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, Figure 4. shows a device according to another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5 shows the kit for assembly of the device according to figure 4 and which includes the component parts of the indicating device; Figure 6 shows an indicating device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, and Figure 7 shows an exploded view of the device of figure 6

Referring now to figure 1 there is shown a device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the device of figure 1. Device 1 includes a first vane 2 disposed substantially normally to a second vane 3 Throughout this description the term vane should be taken to mean a member having at least one visible edge and one or two visible surface/s wherein the edge and surface/s act as indicators. First vane 2 is moveable relative to the second vane 3 such that second vane 3 holds the first vane at a preselected angle relative to a base 4 to which each vane is anchored. First vane 2 includes tabs 2a and 2b (see figure 2) which engage slots 4a and 4b respectively in base 4. Likewise, second vane 3 includes tabs 3a and 3b which engage slots 4c and 4d in base 4 (see figure 2). Vane 2 also includes a slot 6 which co-operates with vane 3. Vane 3 includes an opening 7 within which at least a part of vane 2 moves upon rotation of vane 2. Opening 7 is formed by a cut out in vane 3 and is bounded by bridge 8. When vane 3 is inserted into slots 4c and 4d the bridge 8 engages slot 6 so that when vane 2 is rotated frictional engagement between bridge 8 allows vane 3 to hold vane 2 at a preselected angle. Vane 2 includes an indicating edge 9 and indicating surfaces 10 and 11. Likewise vane 3 includes indicating edge 12 and indicating surfaces 13 and 14. It will be appreciated that vane 2 or 3 may be accompanied by a plurality of like vanes disposed in parallel planes. It has been found that one to six vanes is a workable number, however, greater than six vanes up to any practical number can work equally well. Where the device is configured with a plurality of vanes it may be necessary for the outer vanes i.e. those at a distance of around 25mm to 50mm away from the centre vane to be angled in a direction towards the centre vane. This ensures that the top edge of all of the vanes can present substantially normally to the line of sight of the golfer. A similar arrangement can be adopted for vane 3 in that it may be accompanied by a plurality of like vanes in planes parallel to that of vane 3. Thus, according to one embodiment, the device is configured according to that shown in figure 1 and 2 and in another embodiment there are multiple vanes in parallel planes or substantially parallel planes in a first direction and multiple vanes in parallel planes or in substantially parallel planes in another direction and preferably normal to the first direction.

In a preferred embodiment, each vane corresponding to vane 2 in figure 1 for instance, are pivotal about an anchorage so that the edge of each vane may be presented directly to the golfer according to the golfer' s height. Referring now to figure 3, there is shown a perspective view of an indicating device 15 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention Device 15 comprises a plurality of like vanes 16 which are mounted on support base 17 There are preferably about five or six vanes which are placed along the support base 17 in spaced apart vertical relationship Each vane preferably has three different and contrasting indicator colours thereon The first of the colours appears along edge 18 of typical vane 16a This colour would ideally be white to be easy to identify The second of the colours appears on side 19 of vane 16a and the third of the indicator colours appears on the opposite side 20 of vane 16a Thus, when the device is in use it is placed on the ground near the position where the golf ball is set prior to hitting When the head of the player is directly over the vanes 16 or more particularly, when the player identifies the vanes as being vertical, he sees the white colour along the edge 18 of each vane whilst sighting along line 21 Thus, he perceives strips of white and this tells him that his line of sight is essentially in alignment with the plane of each of the vanes. It is in this position that the head of the golfer should be in during the swing. If the golfer keeps his head still and sighted along the collective edges of the vanes he will only see the first indicator colour throughout the swing. If on the other hand, the golfer moves his head, his line of sight will not be coincident with the plane of the vanes but rather it will intersect with the plane of each vane. In this instance the golfer will see one or other of the two remaining indicator colours depending upon which side of the vanes can be seen and this is dictated by the direction in which the golfers head has moved When his line of vision intersects the plane of the vanes he is looking at the vanes from an angle, thus along lines 22 or 23.

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of an indicating device similar to that depicted in figure 2 According to this embodiment the positions of the tab and slot arrangements have been altered

Vane 24 has tabs 24a and 24b placed at the extremities of the vane Likewise vane 25 has tabs 25a and 25b located at the extremities of the vane.

Tabs 24a, 24b, 25a and 25b engage slots 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d respectively in base 26. In vane 3 the opening 27 has been increased in area compared to the corresponding opening 7 in vane 3 in the device of Figure 2. The device of figure 4 works in a manner similar to that described for figure 2 but vane 24 has a greater angular variation than does vane 2 of figure 2.

Figure 5 shows a kit for assembling the indicating device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention The kit comprises a planar body 28 having elements 29, 30 and 31 which comprise the base and first and second vanes respectively. The indicating device is constructed by pressing out of the planar member the elements 29, 30 and 31 then assembling them according to the configuration of figure 1. The elements are formed by means of a peripheral cut which separates the elements from the planar member but allows frictional engagement between planar member and the elements until they are pressed out prior to assembly of the device.

In either of these arrangements the device will act to signal to the golfer during the swing that the body or head or both has moved side to side or forward or back. To do this each vane has preferably three contrasting colours, one on the edge that presents to the line of sight of the golfer and the other two colours on the side surfaces of each vane. The device would also work with two contrasting colours on each vane i.e. one on the upper edge and one colour (the same colour) on both sides of each vane.

In use, the device is placed on the ground near the feet of a user and preferably between the users feet and the ball position. During the practice swing the golfer checks his technique by ensuring that his body does not move by concentrating on the colour on the edge of each vane. If during the swing the golfer moves side to side, forward or back or the head is moved, the device will present a colour change to the line of sight. In other words, instead of seeing just the top edge of each vane the golfer also sees one or other of the coloured sides of each vane. In this way the device automatically indicates a deviation from the preferred head and body position during the swing.

By way of example, with reference to the embodiment of figure 1, the golfer places device 1 on the ground between the feet and the ball. The golfer sights the device so that his line of sight is in alignment with edge 9 of vane 2 and edge 12 of vane 3. During the swing, if the golfer's head moves sideways he will see either indicating surface 13 or 14 of vane 3 If the golfer's head moves forward or back he will see either one of indicating surfaces 10 or 11 of vane 2. When the golfer can see only edges 9 and 12 the head is in the correct position for and during the swing.

Thus, if the golfer sees any one of surfaces 10, 11, 13 or 14 during the golf swing he knows that the technique is incorrect.

Referring to figure 6 there is shown an indicating device 32 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Device 32 comprises a base 33 having upper and lower base members 34 and 35. Upper base member 34 comprises a recess 36 which receives at least a portion of edges 37 and 38 of vaneS 39 and 40, respectively. Vanes 39 and 40 are interlocked and are disposed normally to each other. Vane 39 includes edge capping 41. Vanes 39 and 40 are able to move in unison in a rotational direction shown by arrow 46. Preferably, vane 39 moves within guide slots 42 and 43 (see figure 7) to provide stability to the vanes when in use.

In use, the golfer is able to adjust the vane 39 so that the edge capping 41 presents to the golfer's line of sight. When edge 41 coincides with the line of sight, surfaces 44 and 45 are not visible to the golfer. When the golfer swings if there is any head movement, the golfer will see one or other of surfaces 44 and 45 indicating an incorrect golf swing.

Figure 7 shows an exploded view of the indicating device of figure 6. Vane 39 interlocks with vane 40 via elongated slots 39a and 40a, respectively.

It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the invention such as but not limited to altering the shape of the vanes for instance to a wedge shape without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention as broadly described herein.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An indicating device for correcting, improving and/or maintaining a golfer's swing technique; the device comprising; at least one indicating vane supported directly or indirectly along or near at least one edge by a support member wherein each at least one vane has at least an indicating edge and at least one indicating surface, such that either the indicating edge alone or the indicating edge and at least one other indicating surface is/are visible to the golfer according to the attitude of the vane relative to the line of sight of the user, such that when the line of sight is co-incident with the plane of said at least one vane only the indicating edge is visible and when the line of sight is at an angle to the plane of the vane the indicating edge and said at least one indicating surface are visible.

2. An indicating device according to claim 1 wherein each said at least one indicating vane further comprises a second indicating surface which is visible to the golfer when the first surface is not visible.

3. An indicating device according to claim 2 wherein each said at least one indicating vane is supported by a common ground engaging base.

4. An indicating device according to claim 3 wherein at least one of the vanes is adjustable relative to another vane such that the angle of the vane can be adjusted relative to the plane of the base.

5. An indicating device according to claim 4 comprising first and second vanes wherein the first vane is moveable relative to the second vane such that by interengagement between the first and second vanes the second vane holds the first vane at a predetermined angle selected by the golfer relative to the base.

6. An indicating device according to claim 5 wherein the second vane intersects with the first vane and includes an opening within which the first vane travels and a bridge which moves within a slot formed in the first vane when the first vane is rotated relative to the second vane.

7. An indicating device according to claim 6 wherein each vane is anchored to the base by means of connecting tabs which engage slots formed in the base.

8 An indicating device according to claim 7 wherein the second vane is semi¬ circular

9 An indicating device according to claim 8 wherein the opening in said second vane is wedge shaped

10 An indicating device according to claim 3 wherein said ground engaging base comprises; spaced apart upper and lower members which define a space therebetween, the upper member having a cut out which exposes a recess formed by the upper and lower members wherein the at least one vane engages the periphery of the recess and whose lower edge is free to move within said recess such that the angle of the at least one vane is adjustable relative to the plane of the base

1 1 An indicating device according to claim 10 wherein there are two intersecting vanes each having a generally arcuate lower edge and which move in unison when the angle of one of the vanes is rotated relative to the plane of the base.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein the two planes interlock via slots in each plane such that the vanes are disposed normally to each other wherein the upper edge of each vane is presented to the line of sight of the golfer and the lower edge of each vane rotates within the recess in the base as the angle of one or both of the vanes is/are adjusted relative to the plane of the base

13 A device according to claim 12 wherein one or both of the vanes engage and move within slots formed in the upper member of the base.

14 A device according to claim 13 wherein the slot in one vane is formed in one edge of the first vane and another slot is formed in the opposite edge of the second vane.

15. An indicating device according to any of the foregoing claims wherein the indicating edge and first and second indicating surfaces each have contrasting colours

16. A kit for constructing an indicating device as hereinbefore described, the kit comprising, a generally planar member including profiled elements which can be pressed from the planar member, wherein the elements comprise at least a base, a first vane and a second vane, wherein the first and second vanes connect with the base and mutually co-operate so that the first vane is able to rotate relative to the second vane 17 A kit according to claim 16 wherein the profiled elements are separated from the planar member by means of a peripheral cut defining the shape of each element. 18. A kit according to claim 17 wherein the elements are frictionally held in the same plane as the planar body prior to removal of said elements.