GB2305130A

GB2305130A - Golfer's wrist pronation indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2305130A
Application number: GB9618805A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Richard Jennings
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-09-07
Filing date: 1996-09-09
Publication date: 1997-04-02
Also published as: GB9618805D0

Abstract

A device for monitoring undesirable movements of the wrist during the playing of a golf shot comprises a device attached to the leading wrist of the golfer and provided with an indicating means that responds to relative movement of the wrist joint and which preferably maintains its position after use for later diagnosis of playing problems. The means can be a shaft 3 which is mounted in a watch shaped body and which when pushed aside retains its position. Optical means can also be used.

Description

The present invention relates to a golf swing training device and more particularly to a device that promotes both correct application and sensation of accurate ball striking through the hands, providing an essential practice aid particularly for players wishing to include a "draw" pattern or low penetrative flight to their ball striking skills.

It is known that many poor shots in golf result from the collapsing of the wrists before impact, this "scooping" action is common amongst inexperienced players and novices with untrained or weak hands, although established players can be susceptible to this error when uncorrected and ingrained during formative years. A further difficulty is that expensive or ungainly training aids, however useful, are generally avoided by players seeking improvement. The present invention provides a discreet and economical training device to indicate said collapsing of the wrists and, with continued usage, to develop the confidence necessary to apply the correct hand action through the ball.

According to the present invention there is provided a wrist angle (pronation) indicating device comprising a base member adapted for attachment to the leading arm of the user (the arm nearer the target), extending from the periphery of said base a co-operatively acting deflectable shaft member configured to indicate in use said deflection following pronation, and a means to reset said shaft such that the device may be re-operable.

Preferably means are included to give when used visible indication thereof.

Preferably following activity, means are included to sustain said visible indicating means to provide evidence thereof.

Preferably means are included to give when used audible indication thereof.

Preferably means are included to give in use tactile indication thereof.

Preferably defining means are included for co-operative action with said angle indicating means.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 Shows a section through the invention viewed from the side Fig la Shows the invention as shown in Fig 1 viewed from above Fig 2 Shows a perspective view of the invention as shown in Fig 1 and la Fig 3 Shows a section through the invention detailing other catchment structure viewed from above Fig 3a Shows a section through the invention as shown in Fig 3 viewed from the side Fig 3b Shows alternative catchment structure to that shown in Fig 3a Fig 4 Shows a further embodiment of the invention viewed from below Fig 4a Shows a perspective view of the invention shown in Fig 4 Fig 4b and 4c Illustrate members of the invention shown in Fig 4 in co-operative action Azures 5 Show the invention using elastic web structure as operable means Figures 6 Illustrate the invention using an electrical means of operation Figures 7 Illustrate an embodiment of the invention showing alternative means of attachment Figures 8 Illustrate further species of the invention Fig 9 Illustrates activity of the invention during pronation Referring to Fig 1 the invention comprises a base 1, typically a housing member (although other structure may be configured as shown in Figures 7), adapted for attachment to the leading wrist of the user by a fastenable strap structure (2). Projecting from the periphery of said base 1 a shaft member 3, with integral pivot pin 4 included for co-operative action with a bearing means 4a disposed within said base structure, is configured to depend in use through an arc around the axis of pivot pin 4 upon bearing 4a by the pronating action of said wrist, thereafter to depend so placed to indicate use.Catchment structure as means of restraint for shaft 3 is included within the periphery of base 1 configured as resilient elongated means 5, deformable in use, adapted for engagement with adjacent and co-operatively acting inner surface portion 6 of housing; thereafter to be sustained in contact until reset for further use: to enhance audible and/or tactile indication of use, said catchment structure may include a projecting means disposed within the inner surface of the housing structure for co-operative action with a plurality of projections disposed within the adjacent surface of the shaft structure member. Said housing includes an aperture 7 configured to enable viewing of a defining means 8, typically colour coded but other means may be used, disposed within said elongated means subjacent to said aperture to register pronating action accurately.

Figs 3, 3a and 3b show further embodiments of the invention which use other resilient catchment means primarily to provide improved audible and tactile indication of use. Fig 3b includes a plurality of catchment structure members for co-operative action with a defining means 8 (typically disposed upon the outer surface of the base member 1 to provide a scale adjacent to the arc of travel of shaft member 3); shaft member 3 configured to provide in use a pointer for co-operative action with said defining means.

Referring to Figures 4 a further species of the invention comprises a base 1, attached at its periphery and integral to said base a strong shaft 3 (disposed as an indicating means to register pronation) adapted to include an elastic and integral thinned portion 3a as sprung catchment means to enable said shaft in use to be initially held in restraint, thence to depend through an arc around the axis of pivot structure 4, and thereafter to be sustained in the indicating position as shown in Fig 4c until reset as shown in Fig 4b.Referring to Fig 4a shaft structure (3) is moulded as illustrated (i.e. on a plane with strap structure 2 adjacent from the housing cavity) thenceforth to be folded for assembly (i.e. the elastic portion 3a bowed to enable said pivot pin 4 to be engaged non-retractably within co-operatively acting bearing means 4a) thereafter to provide sprung catchment means enabling co-operatively acting members to become operable. An integral fastening structure is disposed within strap structure 2 configured as a projection 9 that includes a narrowed portion 10 for releasable engagement within catchment means configured as a yoke 11 disposed within co-operatively acting structure adjacent to aperture 12 as means of attachment to a limb of the user.The purpose of this configuration of the invention is to enable moulding and manufacture in one piece to minimise assembly costs; an alternative embodiment shown in Figures 5 substitutes an elastic web structure 13 for previously described means 3a, 4 and 4a thereby enabling the invention to be manufactured assembled, complete and ready for use.

Referring to Figures 6 a further species of the invention comprise a base 1 for attachment to the wrist that includes electric light emitting means X (typically infra red), to sustain a shaft (light) 3 for co-operative action with a remote (infra red) light sensing means Y (that includes indicating structure and is configured to be attached to the back of the hand adjacent to said emitter X) configured as an electric sound emitter, but other indicating means may be included such as visible electric lamp structure. When used correctly the emitter X and sensor Y of the invention do not align. Following pronation the sensor depends in alignment with the emitter, said shaft thus activating co-operating circuitry to give an indication thereof.

It is possible for said sensor and indicating means to be configured adjacent to said light emitting means and for remote reflecting means V to be disposed adjacent from said conjoined members, the purpose of this configuration is to enable accumulator structure, circuitry and co-operating members to be disposed within a common housing structure.

Referring to Figures 7 it is possible for base 1 and shaft 3 to be configured for co-operative action as hinged plate structure, however pivot pin 4 may be substituted for integral elastic web structure as previously described enabling the co-operating members to be moulded in one piece. This embodiment of the invention is typically attached to a glove by stitching or adhesive but other means may be used such as "velcro" to enable the glove to be used independently.

It is possible for the preceding embodiment of the invention to be retractably restrained within a glove for use.

It is possible for the base and lid members to be disposed to enable the angle formed between the shaft and strap members to be altered by opposing axial rotation of said members to provide radial means of adjustment.

It is also possible for the invention to be configured as illustrated in Figures 8. a. elastic diaphragm structure b. ball joint structure c. deformable shaft structure but other variations are envisaged.

Further modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1 A wrist angle (pronation) indicating device comprising a base member adapted for attachment to the leading limb of the user, a co-operatively acting shaft member deflectable in use to indicate said pronation and a means to enable the device reoperable 2 The device of claim 1 including structure for sustaining said indicating means following activity to provide evidence of use 3 The device of claims 1 & 2 including audible indicating means thereof 4 The device of claims 1,

2 & 3 including tactile indicating means thereof 5 The device of claims 1 - 4 wherein defining means are included for co-operative action with said indicating means 6 The device of preceding claims wherein the invention is configured to enable its manufacture in one piece 7 The device of claims 1 - 6 wherein said base member is configured for attachment to the back of the hand for co-operative action 8 The device of claim 7 wherein shaft member is configured as a co-operatively acting plate member as indicating means 9 The device of preceding claims wherein co-operating members are configured to include electrically activated indicating means 10 The device of preceding claims including deformable shaft structure as operable means thereof 11 The device of preceding claims including elastic web structure as operable means thereof 12 The device of preceding claims including ball joint structure as operable means thereof 13 The device of preceding claims wherein structure is included to enable the angle formed between said shaft and strap members to be altered by opposing axial rotation 14 The device of preceding claims substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings