US20050153817A1

US20050153817A1 - Athletic swing training harness

Info

Publication number: US20050153817A1
Application number: US10/753,744
Authority: US
Inventors: Dennis Fogarty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-08
Filing date: 2004-01-08
Publication date: 2005-07-14

Abstract

It can be difficult to teach the athlete to coordinate his arms and his body during an athletic swing. The natural tendency is to think of an athletic swing as event that happens with the arms. The thought is that the arms control the hitting device back and forward to swing at the object to be struck. Arms have many moving parts to control and as such it is difficult to pull a hitting device back and then deliver it forward to perform a solid connection with the ball. The body is a stronger and better instrument for delivering a hitting device back and forth. The body can simply turn to bring the device back and then turn back to deliver it to the starting position. In hitting a ball, it is best if the arms do little work. To train the arms and body to be in sync during the hitting motion instruction of the concept is important. Even with this knowledge, the arms and the body may try to remain two independent elements during the athletic swing motion. The Athletic Swing Training Harness easily keeps the arms and body “connected” by having the arms press lightly into the harness's arm pads. Automatically the arms and body are in sync during the swing motion resulting in a more controlled swing. As the body and arms swing back and then forth in unison, the chances of hitting the object to be struck squarely is greatly enhanced. The struck object will fly better to the targeted direction and often fly faster/further because of the torque delivered by a body/arm swing that is “connected”.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK

Not Applicable

APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of endeavor to which this invention pertains is athletic training in the sports of golf, tennis and baseball. The invention aids in executing the optimal swing action that results in better control of the direction of the ball that is struck. In swing sports, particularly golf, tennis and baseball, the most effective swing action is when the arms are in sync and “connected” to the body. When this “connected” swing occurs, it results in more control distributed to the object to be struck, i.e. a golf ball. If the arms are not “connected” to the body during an athletic swing, unintended ball flight can occur, i.e. a slice in golf or pushing a tennis ball out of bounds. This concept of keeping the arms tucked into the body can be difficult to conceive of and execute especially for beginners/amateurs in a swing sport. There appear to be no training devices that easily help keep arms dose to the body during the swinging motion.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The Athletic Swing Training Harness is a device that assists the body to make athletic swings with the arms held close to the body. Athletic swings that occur in this manner deliver straighter ball flight with more power delivered to the hitting object. The Athletic Swing Training Harness helps athletes to hold their arms into the body when swinging. When properly used, it keeps athletes from swinging with just arms or arms that are not in sync with the body's natural swing movement. The Athletic Swing Training Harness positions flexible pads between the upper arm and body which when squeezed automatically keep the arms close to the body, the most productive swing position. The pads are held in place by a strap mechanism or are inserted in “pockets” attached to a tee shirt type garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the front view of the Athletic Swing Training Harness in the body strap configuration. It shows how the harness fits on the upper torso, clearly identifying the main harness strap, front closure, right and left arm pads and shoulder support straps.
FIG. 2 shows how the Athletic Swing Training Harness strap fits across the upper back of the body detailing the same elements of the harness as described in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is the front view of the Athletic Swing Training Harness in the tee shirt configuration. It shows how the arm pads fit into “pockets” in the tee shirt below the arms to hold them in the proper position.
FIG. 4 is the side view of the Athletic Swing training Harness tee shirt configuration showing how the arm pads fit into the “pockets” in the tee shirt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Athletic Swing Training Harness in the strap configuration is made with a strap that is roughly 4 inches wide that encircles the body and closes with a front closure device, i.e. Velcro. To support the body strap in the proper position across the upper chest, two shoulder support straps are attached to each side and go over the right and left shoulders. Also attached to the body strap are 2 flexible pads approximately 4 inches wide by 5 inches long and 2 inches deep at the top and 1 inch deep at the bottom. These pads are attached to the body strap under each arm.
In the Athletic Swing Training Harness in the tee shirt configuration is made by installing 2 pockets under the arm area into which are inserted the arm pads. These arm pads are made of flexible material and are approximately 4 inches wide by 5 inches long and 2 inches deep at the top and 1 inch deep at the bottom.
When wearing either configuration of the Athletic Swing Harness on the body, the athlete is instructed to lightly grip the arm pads with the inside of the upper arm throughout the swinging motion. This action or function keeps the arms “connected” to the body and keeps the athlete from swinging just with the arms or with the arms out of sync with the body. The body is then the primary control device for executing an athletic swing which reduces extra arm motion which can cause a swing to go out of control of off the simplest plane of the back and forth body/arm swing motion. The result of this swing which is “connected” to the body is impact with the ball which delivers more control of direction of ball flight and more power in the connection of the strike.

Claims

1. What I claim as my invention is a device that helps the body keep the arms close to the upper torso during an athletic swing.