GB2166959A

GB2166959A - Golf swing training device

Info

Publication number: GB2166959A
Application number: GB08429455A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Norman Gooding
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-11-21
Filing date: 1984-11-21
Publication date: 1986-05-21
Also published as: GB8429455D0; GB2166959B

Abstract

The device has been designed to assist golfers with correct left hand cocking action and to maintain a straight- line-alignment along the left forearm, wrist and back of left hand and attaches to the forearm etc. by means of fastening straps. The device further comprises parts 1 and 2 connected by a pivot pin (confining cocking action of the hand to plane VQ) and by clutch/hinge mechanism 3 which releases only after the ball has been struck to permit the wrist to progressively reach the fully-cupped end-of-swing position. The mechanism has a part 7 formed with clutch engagement dogs 12 which engage recesses in a further part 8 but are released therefrom to permit hingeing when a rubber pressure bush 11 is compressed. Several graded and color-coded bushes are supplied so that the correct bush for a particular golfer may be found by trial. Alternatively, the device may be constructed in one-piece thermoplastics having a flexible connection replacing the mechanism 3 without need for adjustment. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Golf swing training device Many golfers experience difficulty in maintaining the back of the left hand, wrist, and forearm in straight-line-alignment until after the ball has been struck by the clubhead during the golf swing.

Further difficulty is experienced by out-of-plane left wrist Cocking* errors, resulting in open or shut clubface to ball contact.

This device relates to the minimising and correcting of cocking plane errors such as Cupping (Fig. E) and Bowing (Fig. F).

In addition, the device maintains the sought after straight-line-alignment of back of left hand, left wrist and left forearm, until afterthe ball has been struck by the clubhead, when a natural release of the left wrist into a fully-cupped (Fig. B) finish of swing position must occur. (Any device which locks the left wrist solid, would result in no cocking action and no left hand release producing the stiff-wristed punch shot action only.) The device may be made from lightweight thermo-plastic material with Clutch/Hinge 3 forming one piece moulded to 2, or a separate unit thermowelded on.

Attachment of the device 1, is by means of Velcro (RTM)-fastening Straps 5, wrapping around the golfer's left forearm to mate with closing Velcro (RTM) attached to 1. A suitable resilient Padding 6, is affixed to underside of 1 to mould with forearm contours of user. Different sizes of 1 may be made to cater four children's, ladies', and gentlemen's forearms.

Attachment of 2 to baek of golfer's left hand is by means of Shaped Velcro (RTM)-fastening Strap 4, which envelopes complete clenched hand, wrapping across the fingers gripping the golf club grip. This strap 4, also serves to firm up the left hand grip.

The device when properly affixed, now forms a straight-line-alignment of left hand and forearm (Figs. NC/D).

Part 2, pivots, attached by pivot pin to 1 inserted through stiffening housing moulded to 1 at centre line Y, and cocking action of the left hand is confined to plane VQ (Fig. H), preventing out-of-plane errors such as Cupping (Fig. E) and Bowing (Fig. F) from occurring.

Afterthe ball has been struck, the left wrist must be permitted to release progressively into the fullycupped (Fig. B) finish of swing position. This control and release is provided by the action of Hinge/ Clutch 3 (Fig. J). Hinge 3 cannot fold back into Bowed (Fig. F) position since, apart from engaged lugs 12, it is fully-butted, with 1 and 2 in contact immediately below centre line of Pin 10.

Clutch/Hinge 3 operates as follows: Pressure release is built in so that it will not release prematurely, but releases only after the ball has been struck. Thus, Cupping (Fig. E) cannot occur before the ball has been struck, until build-up of pressure releases 3 and the left wrist is fully released (Fig. B) to finish of the golf swing.

The Clutch/Hinge 3 has 7 moulded to 2, and 8 is attached to 1 within Strengthening Pocket by hinge pin, hingeing at Y.

Part 9 is a Threaded Rubber Bush affixed to 7 to prevent 10 from working loose during use. A Plastic Threaded Pivot Pin 10 is provided with finger grip end for adjustment.

Moulded on to 7 and recessed into 8 are shaped Clutch Engagement Dogs 12, which release when 11, the Rubber Pressure Bush is compressed.

Several graded bushes 11, colour-coded, would be supplied, and the golfer finds by trial which colour permits 3 to operate on the aforementioned principles.

Release of 3 could be by a Spring-Loaded Plunger and Finger Adjustment Screw, the plunger housing moulded on top of 8 with plunger locating recess in hinge pin. The Plunger Spring Housing could be moulded to outside flat face of 8, almost parallel to hinge pin axis, but slightly angled to permit finger clearance to operate Finger Adjustment Screw.

The device is not handed and may be similarly used by left-handed golfers.

The device may be constructed in one-piece thermo-plastic, having flexible connection replacing 3, to function as previously described, but without need for adjustment.

* Cocking Action To assist a non-golfer regarding Cocking Action within the golf swing, it may be described as follows: Correct cocking action within the plane PVQ (Fig.

G) is experienced by, whilst seated at a table, placing one's left elbow upon the table top. The hand is now clenched to make a fist and the flat back of the hand lowered until it and the forearm are in contact with the table top forming the straight line plane as in (Fig. A).

Maintaining contact thus established, keeping the forearm static, move the back of the left hand left and right to the limit of its movement.

This is cocking within plane VO whilst forming straight-line-alignment of back of left hand, wrist, and forearm (Fig. H).

1. A golf swing training device, attaching to golfer's left forearm and back of left hand, which will form straight-line-alignment of forearm, wrist, back of left hand, until after the ball has been struck with the clubhead.

2. A device, as in claim 1, which will prevent the golfer from making left hand cocking plane errors, such as Cupping or Bowing, until after the ball has been struck with the clubhead, when full left wrist release is permitted to occur.

3. A device, as in claims 1 and 2, which will permit, by means of adjustable Clutch/Hinge, full release of golfer's left wrist, after the ball has been struck with the clubhead.

4. A device constructed in one-piece thermoplastic, having flexible connection at 3 to function as in claims 1 and 2, without need for adjustment.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Golf swing training device Many golfers experience difficulty in maintaining the back of the left hand, wrist, and forearm in straight-line-alignment until after the ball has been struck by the clubhead during the golf swing. Further difficulty is experienced by out-of-plane left wrist Cocking* errors, resulting in open or shut clubface to ball contact. This device relates to the minimising and correcting of cocking plane errors such as Cupping (Fig. E) and Bowing (Fig. F). In addition, the device maintains the sought after straight-line-alignment of back of left hand, left wrist and left forearm, until afterthe ball has been struck by the clubhead, when a natural release of the left wrist into a fully-cupped (Fig. B) finish of swing position must occur. (Any device which locks the left wrist solid, would result in no cocking action and no left hand release producing the stiff-wristed punch shot action only.) The device may be made from lightweight thermo-plastic material with Clutch/Hinge 3 forming one piece moulded to 2, or a separate unit thermowelded on. Attachment of the device 1, is by means of Velcro (RTM)-fastening Straps 5, wrapping around the golfer's left forearm to mate with closing Velcro (RTM) attached to 1. A suitable resilient Padding 6, is affixed to underside of 1 to mould with forearm contours of user. Different sizes of 1 may be made to cater four children's, ladies', and gentlemen's forearms. Attachment of 2 to baek of golfer's left hand is by means of Shaped Velcro (RTM)-fastening Strap 4, which envelopes complete clenched hand, wrapping across the fingers gripping the golf club grip. This strap 4, also serves to firm up the left hand grip. The device when properly affixed, now forms a straight-line-alignment of left hand and forearm (Figs. NC/D). Part 2, pivots, attached by pivot pin to 1 inserted through stiffening housing moulded to 1 at centre line Y, and cocking action of the left hand is confined to plane VQ (Fig. H), preventing out-of-plane errors such as Cupping (Fig. E) and Bowing (Fig. F) from occurring. Afterthe ball has been struck, the left wrist must be permitted to release progressively into the fullycupped (Fig. B) finish of swing position. This control and release is provided by the action of Hinge/ Clutch 3 (Fig. J). Hinge 3 cannot fold back into Bowed (Fig. F) position since, apart from engaged lugs 12, it is fully-butted, with 1 and 2 in contact immediately below centre line of Pin 10. Clutch/Hinge 3 operates as follows: Pressure release is built in so that it will not release prematurely, but releases only after the ball has been struck. Thus, Cupping (Fig. E) cannot occur before the ball has been struck, until build-up of pressure releases 3 and the left wrist is fully released (Fig. B) to finish of the golf swing. The Clutch/Hinge 3 has 7 moulded to 2, and 8 is attached to 1 within Strengthening Pocket by hinge pin, hingeing at Y. Part 9 is a Threaded Rubber Bush affixed to 7 to prevent 10 from working loose during use. A Plastic Threaded Pivot Pin 10 is provided with finger grip end for adjustment. Moulded on to 7 and recessed into 8 are shaped Clutch Engagement Dogs 12, which release when 11, the Rubber Pressure Bush is compressed. Several graded bushes 11, colour-coded, would be supplied, and the golfer finds by trial which colour permits 3 to operate on the aforementioned principles. Release of 3 could be by a Spring-Loaded Plunger and Finger Adjustment Screw, the plunger housing moulded on top of 8 with plunger locating recess in hinge pin. The Plunger Spring Housing could be moulded to outside flat face of 8, almost parallel to hinge pin axis, but slightly angled to permit finger clearance to operate Finger Adjustment Screw. The device is not handed and may be similarly used by left-handed golfers. The device may be constructed in one-piece thermo-plastic, having flexible connection replacing 3, to function as previously described, but without need for adjustment. * Cocking Action To assist a non-golfer regarding Cocking Action within the golf swing, it may be described as follows: Correct cocking action within the plane PVQ (Fig. G) is experienced by, whilst seated at a table, placing one's left elbow upon the table top. The hand is now clenched to make a fist and the flat back of the hand lowered until it and the forearm are in contact with the table top forming the straight line plane as in (Fig. A). Maintaining contact thus established, keeping the forearm static, move the back of the left hand left and right to the limit of its movement. This is cocking within plane VO whilst forming straight-line-alignment of back of left hand, wrist, and forearm (Fig. H). CLAIMS

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: *(a) Claims 19 above have been deleted or textually amended.

*(b) New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:- 1.A A device, as in Claims 1-6, which when attached to a golfer's left or leading arm, will permit the complete and correct hands action required throughoutthe full golf swing.

2. A device, as in Claims 1-6, which when used by a golfer, permits Uncocking of the left hand to occur, unrestricted, at the bottom of the swing arc and within the correct Cocking Plane.

3. A device, as in Claims 1-6, which when used by a golfer, will confine the left hand Cocking/ Uncocking action within the correct plane, maintain a Straight-Line-Alignment along back of left forearm/back of left hand, until ball has been struck, when natural left hand RELEASE is permitted to occur by user-adjustable Clutch/Hinge opening.

4. A device, as in Claims 1-6, which when used by a golfer, will prevent left hand faults of Cupping or Bowing from occurring before, or whilst the clubhead strikes the ball.

5. A device, as in Claims 1-6, which when used by a golfer, will retain his initial left hand grip, without alteration, throughout practice, by means of a Velcro (RTM)-fastening Strap completely enveloping clenched left hand holding club.

6. A device, as in Claims 1-6, moulded in one piece Thermo-Plastic having a moulded Flexible Hinge to replace Clutch/Hinge and give the same left hand controls of Cocking Plane and RELEASE functions.