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WO2007137357A1 - Dispositif d'alignement de swing - Google Patents

Dispositif d'alignement de swing Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007137357A1
WO2007137357A1 PCT/AU2007/000753 AU2007000753W WO2007137357A1 WO 2007137357 A1 WO2007137357 A1 WO 2007137357A1 AU 2007000753 W AU2007000753 W AU 2007000753W WO 2007137357 A1 WO2007137357 A1 WO 2007137357A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rod
swing
club
shaft
alignment device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2007/000753
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Lindsay H. Hinton
Stuart Mcphie
Original Assignee
Hinton Lindsay H
Stuart Mcphie
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2006902954A external-priority patent/AU2006902954A0/en
Application filed by Hinton Lindsay H, Stuart Mcphie filed Critical Hinton Lindsay H
Priority to AU2007266336A priority Critical patent/AU2007266336A1/en
Priority to GB0823394A priority patent/GB2452893A/en
Priority to US12/302,383 priority patent/US20100167830A1/en
Publication of WO2007137357A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007137357A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
    • A63B69/3623—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf for driving
    • A63B69/3632—Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
    • A63B69/3676—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf for putting
    • A63B69/3685—Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2210/00—Space saving
    • A63B2210/50—Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
    • A63B2210/58—Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport slideably retracted in a housing when not in use
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/09—Adjustable dimensions

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a swing alignment device, and relates particularly but not exclusively to a swing alignment device that is a golf swing trainer to assist a golfer to swing a golf club on the correct plane to hit the golf ball correctly.
  • a training device could be devised that could be used by a golfer to help them swing on the correct plane. Such a device would be useful for beginners to help them develop the correct technique in the first place. The training device would also be useful for established players, including highly skilled players, to assist them to check their swing to make sure that it had not moved out of plane.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a swing alignment device which is a useful tool for golfers around the world to use to improve their golf game and/or keep it at a high level.
  • the device would take the form of a golf swing training device, which is relatively simple in use and thus beneficial to both novices and seasoned golfers alike.
  • a swing alignment device for assisting a golfer to swing with the correct golf swing, the device comprising: a rod-like member; and a mounting member for mounting to a shaft of a golf club, the mounting member providing a support means which supports the rod-like member on the mounting member such that the rod-like member extends substantially parallel to the shaft and permits the rod-like member to slide relative to the support means.
  • the shaft of golf clubs generally comprise an exposed shaft portion and a grip portion (or grip), and accordingly the mounting member may be adapted for mounting to the grip portion of the golf club.
  • the support means for the rod-like member may comprise at least one sleeve through which the rod-like member passes.
  • the support means may comprise a sleeve within which the rod-like member is slidingly received with a minimal or only a small amount of clearance.
  • the sleeve assists in guiding the sliding displacement of the rod-like member relative to the support means whereby, when the swing alignment device is orientated in such a way that gravity would tend to cause the rod-like member to slide relative to the sleeve, it will be free to slide relative to the sleeve.
  • the support means for the rod-like member may comprise two or more longitudinally spaced sleeves or rings or eye formations through which the rod- like member is passed with a small amount of clearance.
  • the rod-like member support means may support the rod-like member with its longitudinal axis closely laterally spaced from the axis of the golf club shaft.
  • the lateral spacing between the rod-like member and the shaft may be less than 200 mm, preferably less than 100mm.
  • the mounting member may further include, in addition to the support means for the rod-like member, a grip engagement formation for placing against the grip portion of the shaft.
  • the grip engagement formation is configured to enable a golfer to hold the mounting member and thereby the swing alignment device on the grip portion when the hands of the golfer are passed around the grip portion and the club gripped in the normal way.
  • the grip engagement formation may include an element shaped to complement a portion of the grip portion which it engages in use, so as to resemble the surface of the grip formation to a golfer gripping the club.
  • the complementary element may be a strip curved so as to mimic the curve on the grip portion against which it will lie.
  • the mounting member may yet further include at least one bridging formation extending between the rod-like member support means and the grip engagement formation, e.g. for holding the support means and the grip engagement formation in fixed spatial relation to one another.
  • the mounting member may include two bridging formations extending between the support means for the rod-like member and the grip engagement formation formed by the complementary element, e.g. the curved strip element.
  • one bridging formation is located towards one end of the grip engaging element, suitably positioned at a proximate or upper end of the grip portion, and another bridging formation is preferably located towards an opposed end of the grip engagement formation, suitably positioned at a distal or lower end of the grip portion.
  • the swing alignment device may suitably be held against the grip portion of a golf club by a golfer when they grip the club in the normal way.
  • the complementary element of the grip engagement formation can lie against the grip portion and be covered by the hands of a user as the user grips the club.
  • the rod- like member is desirably laterally spaced away from the grip portion by the at least one bridging formation to provide hand clearance. As the golfer takes up their stance, the rod-like member extends parallel to the shaft and in said spaced relation with the shaft.
  • the golfer has the club on a correct swing plane. . If however the rod-like member points either at a point outward of the ball on the ground or at the golfer's feet, the club is on an incorrect swing plane.
  • the user or golfer is swinging either too upright or too flat, and the swing alignment device indicates how they need to change the angle of their swing plane. In this way the device can be used by a golfer to swing correctly so that the swing plane of the club is always pointing towards the ball.
  • the rod-like member support means may support the rod- like member such that it permits the rod-like member to slide freely relative thereto if the swing alignment is elevated, e.g. on a backswing.
  • this might be done by providing the sleeve(s) with a small clearance for the rod-like member and/or by avoiding using materials generating high friction between the sleeve and the rod-like member.
  • the clearance for and mass of the rod-like member are arranged such that, in use, the rod-like member is permitted to slide when the club is correctly elevated on a back swing.
  • the mounting member may include further grip engagement formations in addition to the complementary element. There may be two such further grip engagement formations, associated with respective cross bridging formations.
  • One grip engagement formation may comprise a notch or recess within which the shaft of the club can be located or loosely received.
  • Another grip engagement formation may comprise a cup shaped recess or socket within which an upper end of the shaft of a club is received.
  • the further grip engagement formations may be attached to the club at respectively the upper end of the grip portion and towards the lower end of the grip.
  • the rod-like member may further include stop formations towards each end thereof for resisting the rod-like member from sliding off the mounting means when it slides to and fro relative to the mounting means, between first and second fully extended positions.
  • the rod-like member may have an impact absorbing element, e.g. a washer made of soft material, at one or both ends thereof for cushioning the contact of the stop formation with the associated end of the sleeve when the rod-like member slides into a fully extended position relative to the mounting means.
  • an impact absorbing element e.g. a washer made of soft material
  • the rod-like member may have a length greater than one half of the length of the golf club.
  • the length of the rod-like member may be comparable to that of the shaft of a golf club.
  • the rod-like member may be made of a light material.
  • the rod-like member is made of a hollow tubular metallic material, e.g. aluminium.
  • the rod-like member may be made of a plastics material, e.g. plastics suitable for use in injection moulding. It is desirable that the device not be too heavy in comparison with the typical weight of a normal golf club, so as not to interfere with feel of a golf swing with the club.
  • the device may further include means for releasably retaining the rod-like member in a desired longitudinal position relative to the mounting member and associated club.
  • the retaining means comprises locking means that can be used to lock the rod-like member in any desired position relative to the club.
  • the releasable retaining means may comprise a damp, e.g. a clamping formation displaced by a screw threaded shaft, passing through the sleeve that can be rotated to bring the clamping formation into engagement with the rod-like member.
  • a damp e.g. a clamping formation displaced by a screw threaded shaft
  • the releasable retaining means may also include providing the sleeve and the rod-like member in the form of inner and outer telescoping elements that can slide relative to each other in one orientation and then when rotated relative to each other can be releasably locked in a desired position.
  • the retaining means may comprise a cut in the sleeve and a groove in the rod-like member and a pin that passes through both the cut and groove to hold the sleeve and groove locked together.
  • the stop formations may be arranged, e.g. by using chamfered portions, to wedge the rod-like member during slight over-extension to retain the rod- like member in either of the first or second fully extended positions.
  • the impact absorbing elements may also function to resiliency hold the rod-like member in either of the first and second fully extended positions, e.g. by using washers which are moveable along the rod-like member and can resiliency grip said member.
  • retaining means e.g. that the rod-like member and sleeve can only be locked in one or perhaps two positions relative to each other.
  • the releasable retraining means can optionally be used to modify a golf club that is a putter to resemble a belly putter. This can be used to improve a golfer's putting technique.
  • a golf swing training device for assisting a golfer to swing with the correct golf swing, the device comprising: a rod-like member; and a mounting member comprising a support member and a sleeve for the rod- like member; said support member including a grip engagement element that complements part of the circumference of a grip portion of a golf club for mounting on the club; said sleeve mounted on the support member and spaced from the grip engagement element for supporting the rod-like member such that, when mounted on the club, the rod-like member extends substantially parallel to the shaft of the golf club, wherein the sleeve is sized to permit the rod-like member to slide freely relative to the support member; and said support member further including at least two spaced bridging formations extending between the sleeve and the grip engagement element for holding them in lateral spaced relation to each other.
  • an assembly of a golf club and a swing alignment device comprising: a swing alignment device according to the first aspect of the invention described above; and a golf club having a shaft comprising a grip portion and an exposed shaft portion; wherein the mounting member of the swing alignment device is mounted on the shaft of the golf club such that the rod-like member extends substantially parallel to the shaft, with the axis of the rod-like member spaced a small distance away from the axis of the shaft.
  • the mounting member is mounted on the grip portion of the golf club shaft.
  • the swing alignment device may further comprise one or more of the preferred features thereof described above with respect to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the invention also extends to a method of practising a golf swing comprising the steps of: mounting a swing alignment device according to the first aspect of the invention above to a golf club; swinging the assembly golf club and device to perform at least part of a normal golf swing; and checking visually whether the rod-like member is pointed at a desired line of the ball.
  • the golf club may be a long iron, a middle iron or a short iron.
  • the golf club may also be a wood, e.g. a driver.
  • the golf club may further be a putter.
  • substantially parallel is herein intended to cover angles of up to approximately 5 degrees from the parallel.
  • Fig 1 is a three dimensional view of a swing alignment device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig 2 is a three dimensional view of the swing alignment device of Fig 1 mounted on a golf club that is a golf iron;
  • Fig 3 is a three dimensional view of a backswing of a golfer swinging an iron in a correct plane, with the alignment device of Fig 1 mounted thereto;
  • Fig 4 is a three dimensional view of the follow through of the swing of Fig 3;
  • Fig 5 is a three dimensional view of a backswing of a golfer swinging an iron in a plane that is too flat, with the alignment device of Fig 1 mounted thereto;
  • Fig 6 is a three dimensional view of the follow through of the swing in Fig 5 again showing that the swing is too flat;
  • Fig 7 is a three dimensional view of a backswing of a golfer swinging an iron with a backswing in a plane that is too steep, with the alignment device of Fig 1 mounted thereto;
  • Fig 8 is a three dimensional view of the follow through of the swing in Fig 7 again showing that the swing is too steep;
  • Fig 9 is a three dimensional view of an initial take away from the set up position or stance, showing the golfer's wrists being cocked to open the club face;
  • Fig 10 is a three dimensional view of an initial take away from the set up position, showing how the club cannot be taken away properly if the wrists are not cocked to open the club face;
  • Fig 11 is a three dimensional view showing the golfer taking up a setup position or stance ready to perform a chip shot
  • Fig 12 shows the golfer performing the chip shot setup in Fig 11 , shortly after impact with the ball;
  • Fig 13 shows the follow through after the golfer has performed the chip shot of Figs 11 and 12;
  • Fig 14 is a three dimensional view of the swing alignment device mounted to a conventional putter gripped by a golfer, to mimic a belly putter showing the back swing of the putting stroke;
  • Fig 15 is a three dimensional view showing the follow through of the putting stroke shown in Fig 14;
  • Fig 16 is an oblique view of a mounting member of a golf swing training device in accordance with a second embodiment
  • Fig 17 is a side view of the mounting member of the golf swing training device of Fig 16.
  • Fig 18 is a plan view of the mounting member of the golf swing training device of Fig 16.
  • DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The purpose of providing this detailed description is to instruct persons having an interest in the subject matter of the invention how to put the invention into practice. It is to be clearly understood however that the specific nature of this detailed description does not supersede the generality of the preceding statements disclosing the invention.
  • Figs 1 and 2 illustrate a swing alignment device that is a golf swing trainer for golfers in accordance with an embodiment of this invention.
  • reference numeral 1 refers generally to the swing alignment device.
  • the swing alignment device 1 comprises a rod-like member 2 and a mounting member 3 for mounting to the grip 4 of a club 6.
  • the mounting member 3 includes a rod member support means in the form of a sleeve 7 for supporting the rod-like member 2.
  • the sleeve 7 does this with the rod-like member 2 extending substantially parallel to the shaft 5 of the club 6.
  • the sleeve 7 is sized to receive the rod-like member 2 therethrough with a small amount of clearance to permit the rod- like member 2 to slide down freely relative to the support member 3 when the device is lifted up.
  • the rod-like member 2 is slim and elongate in configuration, and approximates the length of a golf club shaft as shown in Fig 2.
  • the rod-like member 2 should be reasonably light weight and conveniently can have a hollow tubular configuration and be made of a metallic material, such as aluminium.
  • the mounting member 3 also includes a grip engagement element 10 in the form of a sheet of material with a slightly curved shape.
  • the inside surface of the engagement element 10 is concave to fit snugly over the rounded grip portion 4 of the golf club 6.
  • the outside surface of the sheet has a complementary convex formation that mimics the shape of the outer surface of the handle or grip portion 4. A golfer's hands can thus pass over this outer surface as they grip the club 6.
  • the element 10 of the embodiment has a length of about 200-300mm and extends substantially along the length of the grip 4 of the golf club 6.
  • the mounting member 3 further includes two bridging formations 14, 15 extending between the sleeve 7 and the grip engagement element 10. These support the sleeve 7 in the appropriate spatial position relative to the element 10, thereby providing necessary space for the golfer's hands.
  • the mounting member 3 yet further includes further grip engagement formations towards each end of the element 10.
  • One such further grip engagement formation comprises a socket 20 which receives an upper end of the grip portion 4 of the golf club 6 therein.
  • the other formation comprises a recess or notch 21 within which the grip portion 4 is received towards its lower end.
  • the socket and notch 20, 21 may be formed by extensions of the bridging formations 14 and 15.
  • the rod-like member 2 has stop formations 26 and 28 at each end thereof that are sized larger than the sleeve 7 and that stop the rod-like member 2 from falling off the sleeve 7. They limit movement of the rod-like member 2 relative to the mounting member 3 between a first fully extended position shown in Fig 2 and a second fully extended position shown in Fig 3, as described in more detail below.
  • the stop formations 26, 28 may further include washers of soft material 34 to cushion the contact between the stop formations 26 and 28 and the sleeve 7 and reduce the attendant noise.
  • the swing alignment device 1 further includes a retaining means, here in the form of a clamp 22, for releasably locking the rod-like member 2 in a certain position relative to the mounting member 3 for use in the manner that will be described hereinafter below.
  • this clamp is located on bridging formation 15 and comprises a cut (not shown) in the sleeve 7 which surrounds the rod-like member 2. It also comprises a groove or recess (not visible) in the rod-like member 2 and a pin or clip 23 which can be passed through the slit and the groove at the same time to lock the rod-like member 2 in position relative to the sleeve 7.
  • the mounting member 3 including the grip engagement element 10, the bridging formations 14, 15 and the sleeve 7 are suitably made of a metallic material. Conveniently this material may be mild steel or aluminium.
  • Fig 2 shows the swing alignment device mounted on a golf club 6 that is a middle iron.
  • the mounting member 3 is placed over the grip 4 of the golf club 6 and the rod-like member 2 is spaced away from the grip 4, but otherwise extends parallel to the grip 4 and associated golf club shaft 5.
  • the mounting member 3 is disposed "underneath" the club, wherein the bridging formations 14, 15 extend in an opposite direction to that of the club head.
  • the upper or free end of the grip portion 4 is received within the socket 20 on the first bridging formation 14. Further the grip portion 4 is located in the recess 21 on the second bridging formation 15 towards the lower end of the grip.
  • the mounting member 3 is positioned, in this example on the middle iron, such that the rod-like member 2 is laterally spaced from the shaft 5 in a direction generally opposite to that in which the club head 8 extends from the shaft 5 of the club.
  • the rod-like member 2 is shown extending along the length of the club shaft 5 in a first fully extended position. It is important to appreciate that the rod-like member is free to move relative to the grip 4 and mounting member 3. This movement will happen when the swing alignment device 1 is lifted up with the club 6 elevated.
  • Figs 3 and 4 show the swing alignment device 1 in use by a golfer for practising a part of their golf swing, in this instance a back swing portion and a follow through portion with the iron club 6, wherein the golfers arms rise no higher than broadly parallel with the ground on either portions of the swing.
  • Fig 3 shows the position of the club 6 and attached device 1 at or near the top of the back swing portion of the golfer's practice swing.
  • the rod-like member 2 has slid from the first fully extended position (shown in Fig 2) to a second fully extended position, where the rod-like member 2 extends out beyond the first bridging formation 14 and the free or upper end of the grip portion 4.
  • the rod-like member in the second fully extended position thus forms a notional extension of the support member 3 and the golf club shaft 5. Further, the golfer can check whether the rod- like member 2 is substantially parallel with the ground at the top of their back swing.
  • Fig 3 shows the rod-like member 2 pointing towards a golf ball 30 on the ground and the line 32 along which the golf ball 30 is to travel.
  • the rod-like member 2 points directly at this line 32 and this is a sign that the swing plane and club positioning is correct.
  • Fig 4 shows the follow through portion of the golfer's practice swing. Even though the position of the club has moved forward of the body the rod-like member 2 has moved to a second fully extended position and still points at the line 32 of the ball as with Fig 3.
  • Fig 5 shows a backswing where the golfer has positioned the club 6 in the incorrect swing plane.
  • the swing plane is too flat, the club head is insufficiently elevated and the rod-like member 2 has, as a result, has failed to slide from the first fully extended position down through the sleeve 7. This failure together with the fact that the rod-like member 2 points above or outwardly of the ball shows the golfer that their swing is incorrect.
  • Fig 6 shows the follow through portion of the same golf swing shown in Fig 5.
  • Fig 7 shows another example of a backswing where the golfer is swinging the club incorrectly.
  • the rod-like member 2 has slid down relative to support member 3 like it is meant to do.
  • the golfer's swing plane is too upright and consequently the rod-like member 2 points down near to the feet of the golfer. It does not point at the ball 30 and the desired line of the ball 32 like it is meant to do.
  • Fig 8 which shows the follow through from the swing of Fig 7, similarly shows the rod-like member 2 extended to the second fully extended position, but pointing inwardly of the ball down near to feet of the golfer instead of the line of the ball.
  • Figs 9 and 10 show how the swing alignment device 1 can be used to train a golfer to break or cock their wrists at the take away of the back swing.
  • the mounting member 3 is positioned on the grip 4 of the club 6 such that the rod-like member 2 is laterally spaced from the shaft 5 in generally the same direction as the head 8 extends.
  • This positioning of the swing training device 1 on the topside of the grip means that cocking of the golfer's wrists is the only way they can get the club back and up to the top of the backswing when the device 1 is mounted on the club 6.
  • Fig 9 shows the golfer cocking their wrists to open the face of club head 8 and this moves the upper end of the device, including the sleeve 7 and bridging formation 14 out of the way of the golfer's arms. This permits the golfer to take the club 6 up to the top of the backswing.
  • the practice swing illustrated in Fig 9 shows a golfer how cocking or opening their wrists on the back swing permits the club to be taken back correctly.
  • the golfer has not cocked their wrists and the face of the club head 8 is still closed. If the wrists are not opened the top of the swing training device 1 bears up against the inside of the left arm of the user. Thus the golfer cannot take the club 6 back because the mounting member 3 gets in the way of the golfer's outside arm. This way the device or trainer trains a golfer to cock their wrists and open the club face at the take away.
  • Figs 11 to 13 show the swing alignment device of Fig 1 being used as a trainer by a golfer to practise the chipping shot.
  • the rod-like member 2 is extended relative to the support member to the position shown in Figs 3 and 4 and is then locked in this position.
  • the clamp 22 mentioned above which here comprises a screw threaded shaft passing through the sleeve 3 that can be rotated to bring a clamping formation (not visible) into engagement with the rod-like member 2.
  • This notionally adds to the length of the club 6, instead of substantially overlapping the length of the shaft 5 as shown in Figs 1 and 2.
  • the golfer With the rod-like member 2 extended and passing across the front thigh and side of the golfer, the golfer is encouraged to adopt the correct stance for chipping a golf ball 30. That is the golfer's hands in the correct stance should adopt a forward position relative to the ball.
  • the rod-like member assists the golfer to maintain their wrists substantially locked while performing the follow through, since the member 2 engages the golfer's side if the wrists are unlocked.
  • Fig 11 shows the rod-like member 2 up against the outer thigh portion of the golfer's leg when addressing the ball with the club head 8.
  • Fig 12 shows the golfer at or shortly after impact with the ball 30, and
  • Fig 13 shows the follow through portion of the swing. During the follow through, the golfer should not break their wrists and keep their hands well forward of the body.
  • Figs 14 and 15 show the swing alignment device 1 in use mounted on a conventional putter 36 to mimic a belly putter.
  • the mounting member 3 is mounted to the grip 4 of a putter in the same way as described above with reference to the iron club of Fig 2, except that the mounting member is arranged on the top side of the club, i.e. extending outwardly in the direction of the club head.
  • the rod-like member 2 is then extended up from the mounting member 3 a certain distance until its upper end brushes against the belly of the golfer. It is then releasably clamped in this position using the clamp 22 described above with reference to Fig 1.
  • the putter 36 can then be used as a belly putter by the golfer while they practise their putting.
  • Figure 15 shows the follow through portion of the swing after the ball 30 has been struck by the putter 36.
  • a golfer can practise their putting with the assistance of the belly putter feature and groove their putting stroke. Then when they get onto the golf course to play a round/ the golfer can reproduce the putting stroke produced by the belly putter with their normal putter.
  • a mounting member 40 of a swing alignment device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs 16, 17 and 18.
  • the mounting member includes a sleeve 44 for telescopically supporting a rod-like member 42 therein (as shown partially in Fig 16) and bridge formations 46, 48 at respective ends of the sleeve 44.
  • the sleeve has an internal diameter of about 13mm, whilst the rod-like member has an outside diameter of about 12mm, to provide the desired free sliding engagement therebetween.
  • the bridge formations 46, 48 extend between the sleeve 44 and a grip engagement element 50, which element is curved to mimic the shape of the grip portion of a golf club.
  • a first bridge formation 46 further includes a grip engagement formation in the form of a recess 52 shaped in a "U" to loosely receive a distal end of the grip portion.
  • a second bridge formation 48 further includes a grip engagement formation in the form of a socket 54, within which a proximate or free end of the grip portion of the golf club shaft is received.
  • the bridge and grip engagement formations are configured to locate the rod-like member 42 substantially parallel to the shaft of a golf club and spaced a distance of about 100mm from the shaft.
  • a soft rubber washer 34 mounted on the rod-like member 42 can resiliently grip the member and be manually moveable therealong to a desired position.
  • the washer can resiliently hold the rod-like member in either of the first and second fully extended positions, as described above.
  • the mounting member 40 of the second embodiment is composed of plastics material, suitably fibre reinforced synthetic polymers such as 30% glass fibre filled nylon 6-6, by way of injection moulding. It has been found that the moulded component is more easily released or separated from the mould if the socket 54 includes cut-out sections 56, as illustrated in Figs 17 and 18. Stiffener ribs 58 have been added to the inside face of each of the bridge formations 46, 48 to ameliorate distortion found to occur with the plastics construction of the mounting member, especially when the rod-member 42 moves between its first and second fully extended positions.
  • An advantage of a golf swing trainer of the embodiments, as described above with reference to the drawings, is that it can be used by any golfer to help them swing the golf club on the correct plane. If their swing plane is too upright the trainer will tell them this by having the rod-like member pointing inwardly of the ball nearer to the golfer's feet. Similarly if their swing plane is too flat the rod-like member will point at a spot on the ground outwardly of the desired line of the ball. Further the rod-like member might not even slide down out of the sleeve towards the ground.
  • a further advantage of the trainer described above is that it is mechanically simple and can be produced at low cost. It is not reliant on complex computers, electronics or any electrical supply. On the contrary it is a simple mechanical device with few moving parts. Thus it will be able to be supplied to the market at reasonable cost and be affordable to all golfers.
  • a still further advantage of the trainer is that it can be used for a number of different exercises. It has utility in helping a golfer to perform a full swing on the correct swing plane. This covers a swing with a wood, a swing with a long iron and a swing with a short iron. While the golf swing is basically the same for all these clubs the applicant makes the point that a single trainer can be used on all of these clubs. It can be fitted to all these clubs and finds utility on all these clubs. Yet further the trainer can be used to train a golfer to chip the ball correctly. It trains them to keep the hands forward of the body during the swing and particularly the follow through. In addition the trainer can be fitted to a regular putter to make it mimic a belly putter. Then the golfer can practice putting with a pure pendulum swing that is encouraged and fostered by the belly putter.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Golf Clubs (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif d'alignement de swing (1) pour aider ou entraîner un golfeur à effectuer un swing de golf correct. Le dispositif comporte un élément en forme de tige (2) ; et un élément de montage (3) destiné à être monté au manche (5) d'un club de golf (6), l'élément de montage fournissant des moyens de support (7) de l'élément en forme de tige sur l'élément de montage, de telle sorte que l'élément en forme de tige (2) se trouve sensiblement parallèle au manche et permet à l'élément en forme de tige (2) de coulisser sur les moyens de support (7). L'élément de montage (3) est adapté de façon appropriée pour être monté à la partie de préhension (4) sur le manche du club de golf (6) et comporte une formation (10) d'engagement de préhension à placer contre la partie de préhension du manche (5). Les moyens de support de l'élément en forme de tige (2) comportent au moins un manchon dans lequel l'élément en forme de tige (2) passe, ce qui permet de supporter l'élément en forme de tige (2), son axe longitudinal étroitement et latéralement espacé de l'axe du manche du club de golf (5).
PCT/AU2007/000753 2006-05-31 2007-05-30 Dispositif d'alignement de swing WO2007137357A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2007266336A AU2007266336A1 (en) 2006-05-31 2007-05-30 Swing alignment device
GB0823394A GB2452893A (en) 2006-05-31 2007-05-30 Swing alignment device
US12/302,383 US20100167830A1 (en) 2006-05-31 2007-05-30 Swing alignment device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2006902954A AU2006902954A0 (en) 2006-05-31 Swing alignment device
AU2006902954 2006-05-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007137357A1 true WO2007137357A1 (fr) 2007-12-06

Family

ID=38778018

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2007/000753 WO2007137357A1 (fr) 2006-05-31 2007-05-30 Dispositif d'alignement de swing

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20100167830A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2007266336A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2452893A (fr)
WO (1) WO2007137357A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8715099B2 (en) * 2012-08-07 2014-05-06 Davinci Sports International, Inc. Backswing training device
US9387383B2 (en) 2013-03-01 2016-07-12 Best Swing One, Llc Baseball bat swing training apparatus
US8915793B2 (en) 2013-03-01 2014-12-23 Wen-Sun Hou Golf club swing training apparatus
AU2014224045B2 (en) 2013-03-01 2019-09-19 Best Swing One, Llc Simplified golf club swing training apparatus

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5167415A (en) * 1992-03-16 1992-12-01 John Iandola Golf swing training club
WO1993022009A1 (fr) * 1992-04-24 1993-11-11 Johnson Kenneth E Dispositif d'entrainement pour le swing de golf
USD356135S (en) * 1994-01-24 1995-03-07 John Slusher Golf swing training aid
WO1996023552A1 (fr) * 1995-01-31 1996-08-08 Golf Inventions Pty. Ltd. Accessoire de golf
JP2005349168A (ja) * 2004-06-12 2005-12-22 Shigenobu Nakajima ゴルフのスイング練習用具

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2482015A (en) * 1947-11-28 1949-09-13 Howard W Mcconnell Golf club accessory for swing practice
US3963244A (en) * 1975-02-27 1976-06-15 Henry Mierzejewski Pendulum putter
US4145054A (en) * 1977-06-17 1979-03-20 Stewart Phil D Golf swing training aid
US4170356A (en) * 1978-05-17 1979-10-09 Banks James F Golf swing training device
US4598911A (en) * 1984-07-16 1986-07-08 Pasquale Lepera Golf swing instructional aid

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5167415A (en) * 1992-03-16 1992-12-01 John Iandola Golf swing training club
WO1993022009A1 (fr) * 1992-04-24 1993-11-11 Johnson Kenneth E Dispositif d'entrainement pour le swing de golf
USD356135S (en) * 1994-01-24 1995-03-07 John Slusher Golf swing training aid
WO1996023552A1 (fr) * 1995-01-31 1996-08-08 Golf Inventions Pty. Ltd. Accessoire de golf
JP2005349168A (ja) * 2004-06-12 2005-12-22 Shigenobu Nakajima ゴルフのスイング練習用具

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DATABASE WPI Week 200603, Derwent World Patents Index; Class P36, AN 2006-025536, XP003019823 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2452893A8 (en) 2009-04-29
GB2452893A (en) 2009-03-18
US20100167830A1 (en) 2010-07-01
AU2007266336A1 (en) 2007-12-06
GB0823394D0 (en) 2009-01-28

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