US20120190472A1

US20120190472A1 - Compact golf swing assistance systems

Info

Publication number: US20120190472A1
Application number: US13/354,649
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard Meeks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-01-20
Filing date: 2012-01-20
Publication date: 2012-07-26

Abstract

A compact golf swing assistance system comprising a segmented rod having a first rod section, and second rod section, a third rod section, and a fourth rod section. The assembled segmented rod may be placed on a ground surface adjacent a golf tee, pointing the direction as an indicator means for a golfer to hit a golf ball for reaching the hole in the fewest number of strokes. A first male end of a second rod section inserts into a second female end of a first rod section, a first male end of a third rod section inserts into a second female end of a second rod section, and a first male end of a fourth rod section inserts into a second female end of a third rod section. The sections are joined interiorly by a shock cord and may be collapsed for storage.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/434,643, filed Jan. 20, 2011 which application is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of golf swing direction indicators and more specifically relates to compact golf swing assistance system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players (or golfers) use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes possible. It is one of the few ball games that do not require a standardized playing area. Instead, the game is played on golf “courses”, each of which features a unique design, although courses typically consist of either nine or 18 holes. Golf is defined, in the rules of golf, as “playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules.” Golf competition is generally played for the lowest number of strokes by an individual, known simply as stroke play, or the lowest score on the most individual holes during a complete round by an individual or team.
The difficulty factor in achieving a competitive skill level is considerable because there are numerous factors that have to be considered in the golf swing; The stance, the position of the arms and elbows, the right club, the angle of swing in relation to an imaginary line passing through points on the feet, and distance from that line to the golf tee are a few factors that must be correct. From the player's footing position off to the side of the tee, it is difficult to judge the exact angle of swing that will line up with the flag, or the most advantageous spot the player would like the ball to land in to reach the flag with the fewest subsequent strokes. Terrain slopes differently at every different location on the golf course and slopes can be deceiving. Trial and error learning takes considerable time and many more advanced players are still challenged at consistently judging the correct angle. The direction can be clearly seen from behind the tee, unfortunately, this is not where the player stands to hit the ball. A player may utilize various methods to “read” the terrain in order to cause the ball to land in the most advantageous location, but in the end, the ball must be hit by the player, using a golf club, from a tee or wherever it lands in a fairway. It must be his or her skill that advances the ball toward the flag. This leaves not much more than a visual aid that can be used, but it must be practical and convenient to carry. An innovative and convenient design for such a visual aid would greatly assist many golfers.
Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. D446276; 3,669,133; 7,238,118; 5,083,789; 4,583,739; and 6,752,724. This prior art is representative of indicator means. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
Ideally, a golf swing direction indicator should be convenient in use and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable compact golf swing assistance (alignment) system to quickly setup and take down and store, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known golf swing assistance art, the present invention provides a novel compact golf swing assistance system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide quick setup, takedown, and compact storage of an indicator/alignment device.
Disclosed is a compact golf swing assistance system in a preferred embodiment having a segmented rod with a proximate end and a distal end having at least a first rod section, a second rod section, a third rod section, and a fourth rod section. Each of the first rod section, the second rod section, and the third rod section have a first male end and a second female end. The fourth rod section has a first male end and a second male end. Each of the second female ends of the segmented rods comprise metal (or sufficiently rigid material) reinforcement for adjacent-coupling to the first male ends. The proximate end and the distal end of the segmented rod each preferably have a rubber cap. The first male ends and the second female ends are removeably couplable from one another. Each first male end is insertable into an adjacent second female end along a length of the segmented rod. The first rod section, the second rod section, the third rod section, and the fourth rod section are joined together via an expandable cord which may comprise a shock cord.
The expandable cord is attached interiorly to the first rod section at the proximate end of the segmented rod and to the fourth rod section at the distal end using at least one knot or another attachment means. The expandable cord has sufficient contraction-tension so that when the segmented rod is held vertically by the proximate end, the first male ends and the second female ends of the rod sections are held-joined together causing the segmented rod to become suitably rigid. The first male end of each of the rod sections is smaller in circumference than each of the second female end(s) so that when removably joined together, each connection comprises an interference fit. The segmented rod when in a compact state provides that the first male end of the second rod section is removed from the second female end of the first rod section but held adjacent via the expandable cord.
The first male end of the third rod section may be removed from the second female end of the second rod section but held adjacent via the expandable cord, and the first male end of the fourth rod section may be removed from the second female end of the third rod section but also held adjacent via the expandable cord, such that in a compact condition the segmented rod forms a W-shape that may be further compactly bundled wherein the rod sections are adjacent each other. When the segmented rod is in a compact condition, the overall length may not exceed a length of the first rod section.
The first rod section, the second rod section, the third rod section, and the fourth rod section comprise a hollow cylindrical interior. The expandable cord passes interiorly through the first rod section, the second rod section, the third rod section, and the fourth rod section such that the expandable cord is not attached to the second rod section and the third rod section. The expandable cord is attached to the first male end of the first rod section and the second male end of the fourth rod section. When the first rod section, the second rod section, the third rod section, and the fourth rod section are removably joined together, they form a straight rod that is usable as a visual guide indicator to a golfer-user indicating a proper swing direction.
The first rod section, the second rod section, the third rod section, and the fourth rod section may comprise aluminum but may comprise fiberglass or may comprise a composite material in alternate embodiments. The segmented rod may comprise less than four rod sections but a preferred embodiment may have four sections and in other embodiments may have more than four rod sections. The first rod section, the second rod section, the third rod section, and the fourth rod section may each comprise different lengths, yet in other embodiments, each rod section may be of equal lengths (preferred.)
A method of use for a compact golf swing assistance system is also disclosed herein and may comprise the steps of friction-inserting a first male end of a second rod section into a second female end of a first rod section, friction-inserting a first male end of a third rod section into a second female end of a second rod section, and friction-inserting a first male end of a fourth rod section into a second female end of a third rod section. Once assembled, steps may then include placing the segmented rod on a ground surface adjacent a golf tee directionally pointing toward a subsequent flag and directionally swinging a golf club to impact a golf ball. Steps may then include uncoupling the coupled first male ends from the coupled second female ends and doubling the adjacent segmented rod sections to form a W shape, and then storing the compact golf swing assistance system.
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a compact golf swing assistance system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, golf swing direction indicator, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of a compact golf swing assistance system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled condition of a compact golf swing assistance system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a non-assembled condition of a compact golf swing assistance system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a storage condition of a compact golf swing assistance system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for a compact golf swing assistance system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a golf swing direction indicator device and more particularly to a golf swing direction indicator as used to improve the quick setup, takedown, and compact storage of an alignment means. The compact golf swing assistance system is a device designed to assist golfers in aligning their swing. The invention is comprised of poles of either variable lengths or equal lengths that are cylindrical in shape and may be constructed of aluminum, fiberglass (preferred), graphite, plastic, or a poly material. Shock string or shock cord is strung through the poles and attached at the opposite ends of the rod. This expandable and retractable cording holds the erect poles taut, as well as keeps the poles together when they are collapsed. The ends of the outer poles are preferably capped with a rubber material to prevent tearing of a storage bag and to increase safety when in-use.
Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of compact golf swing assistance system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Compact golf swing assistance system 100 comprises segmented rod 102. Segmented rod 102 has proximate end 104 and distal end 106 comprising at least first rod section 110, second rod section 120, third rod section 130, and fourth rod section 140. First rod section 110 comprises first male end 112 and second female end 114, second rod section 120 comprises first male end 122 and second female end 124, and third rod section 130 comprises first male end 132 and second female end 134, fourth rod section 140 comprises first male end 142 and second male end 144.
Coupleable male ends 150 and coupleable female ends 160 are removeably couplable from one another; coupleable male ends 150 are insertable into adjacent coupleable female ends 160 along a length of segmented rod 102. First rod section 110, second rod section 120, third rod section 130, and fourth rod section 140 are joined together via an expandable cord 170 which passes interiorly through first rod section 110, second rod section 120, third rod section 130, and fourth rod section 140 such that expandable cord 170 is not attached to second rod section 120 or to third rod section 130. Expandable cord 170 is attached to first male end 112 of first rod section 110 and second male end 144 of fourth rod section 140. When first rod section 110, second rod section 120, third rod section 130, and fourth rod section 140 are removably joined together forming straight rod 180, straight rod 180 is usable as a visual guide indicator to a golfer-user indicating (aligning) a proper swing direction.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view illustrating an assembled condition of compact golf swing assistance system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.
First rod section 110, second rod section 120, third rod section 130, and fourth rod section 140 comprise a material such as aluminum, fiberglass (preferred), or a composite material that provides sufficient rigidity to segmented rod 102 when in an assembled state. Coupleable male ends 150 of each rod segment(s) 182 are smaller in circumference than each of coupleable female ends 160 so that when rod segment(s) 182 are removably joined together, each connection comprises an interference fit.
Proximate end 104 of first rod section 110 and distal end 106 of fourth rod section 140 each preferably have rubber cap 190 which in some embodiments may be used to affix expandable cord 170 to the proximate end 104 and distal ends 106. Expandable cord 170 has sufficient contraction-tension that when segmented rod 102 is held vertically by proximate end 104 or distal end 106, coupleable male ends 150 and coupleable female ends 160 of rod segment(s) 182 are held joined together causing segmented rod 102 to become rigid.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view illustrating a non-assembled condition of compact golf swing assistance system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.
First rod section 110, second rod section 120, third rod section 130, and fourth rod section 140 each comprise a hollow cylindrical interior through aluminum, fiberglass, or a composite material and of sufficient diameter to pass an expandable cord 170 therethrough. Segmented rod 102 may comprise less than four rod segment(s) 182 or may comprise more than four rod segment(s) 182 in some embodiments. Expandable cord 170 may be a shock cord. Each of coupleable female ends 160 of segmented rod 102 preferably comprise metal reinforcement for adjacent-coupling to coupleable male ends 150. Expandable cord 170 is attached to or in conjunction with first rod section 110 at proximate end 104 and to fourth rod section 140 at distal end 106 using a knot or utilizing rubber cap 190 to affix expandable cord 170 to segmented rod 102.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view illustrating a storage condition of compact golf swing assistance system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.
First rod section 110, second rod section 120, third rod section 130, and fourth rod section 140 may each comprise an equal length or may comprise different lengths depending on the particular embodiment. Segmented rod 102 when in a compact state provides that first male end 122 of second rod section 120 is removed from second female end 114 of first rod section 110 but held adjacent via expandable cord 170, first male end 132 of third rod section 130 is removed from second female end 124 of second rod section 120 but held adjacent via expandable cord 170, and first male end 142 of fourth rod section 140 is removed from second female end 134 of third rod section 130 but held adjacent via expandable cord 170, such that segmented rod 102 may form a w-shape when rod segment(s) 182 are doubled back adjacent to each other. Segmented rod 102, when in a compact condition, may have an overall length that does not exceed the length of first rod section 110. In this way the present invention is easily storable in a golf bag or the like when not in use.
Golf swing direction indicator system 100 may be sold as kit 450 comprising the following parts: at least one segmented rod 102 having at least two rod segment(s) 182 joined interiorly by expandable cord 170; and at least one a set of user instructions for use in golf swing alignment. Golf swing direction indicator system 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less rod sections, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart illustrating method of use 500 for compact golf swing assistance system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.
Method of use 500 for compact golf swing assistance system may comprise the steps of: step one 501 friction-inserting first male end 122 of second rod section 120 into second female end 114 of first rod section 110; step two 502 friction-inserting first male end 132 of third rod section 130 into second female end 124 of second rod section 120; step three 503 friction-inserting first male end 142 of fourth rod section 140 into second female end 134 of third rod section 130; step four 504 placing an assembled segmented rod 102 on a ground surface adjacent a golf T directionally pointing toward a subsequent flag; step five 505 directionally swinging a golf club to impact a golf ball; step six 506 uncoupling coupleable male ends 150 from coupleable female ends 160 and doubling adjacent rod segment(s) 182 to form a W shape; and step seven 507 storing compact golf swing assistance system 100.
It should be noted that steps 506-507 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method 500.
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A compact golf swing assistance system having:

a segmented rod having a proximate end and a distal end comprising at least;

a first rod section;

a second rod section;

a third rod section; and

a fourth rod section;

wherein each of said first rod section, said second rod section, and said third rod section comprise a first male end and a second female end;

wherein said fourth rod section comprises a said first male end and a second male end;

wherein said first male end and said second female ends are removeably couplable from one another, said first male end insertable into an adjacent said second female end along a length of said segmented rod, said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section being joined together via an expandable cord;

wherein said expandable cord passes interiorly through said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section such that said expandable cord is not attached to said second rod section and said third rod section, said expandable cord attached to said first male end of said first rod section and said second male end of said fourth rod section; and

wherein when said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section are removably joined together formable into a straight rod, said straight rod usable as a visual guide indicator to a golfer-user indicating a proper swing direction.

2. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 1 wherein said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section comprise a hollow cylindrical interior.

3. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 2 wherein said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section comprise aluminum.

4. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 2 wherein said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section comprise fiberglass.

5. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 2 wherein said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section comprise composite(s).

6. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 4 wherein said segmented rod comprises less than four said rod sections.

7. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 4 wherein said segmented rod comprises more than four said rod sections.

8. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 4 wherein said first male end of each of said rod sections is smaller in circumference than each of said second female end(s) that when removably joined together, each connection comprises an interference fit.

9. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 8 wherein said proximate end of said segmented rod and said distal end of said segmented rod each comprise a rubber cap.

10. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 9 wherein said expandable cord comprises a shock cord.

11. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 10 wherein said expandable cord has sufficient contraction-tension that when said segmented rod is held vertically by said proximate end, said first male ends and said second female ends of said rod sections are held joined together causing said segmented rod to be rigid.

12. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 3 wherein said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section each comprise an equal length.

13. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 4 wherein said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section each comprise different lengths.

14. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 1 wherein each of said second female ends of said segmented rod comprise metal reinforcement for adjacent-coupling to said first male ends.

15. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 11 wherein said expandable cord is attached interiorly to said first rod section at said proximate end and to said fourth rod section at said distal end using at least one knot.

16. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 1 wherein said segmented rod when in a compact state provides that said first male end of said second rod section is removed from said second female end of said first rod section but held adjacent via said expandable cord, said first male end of said third rod section is removed from said second female end of said second rod section but held adjacent via said expandable cord, and said first male end of said fourth rod section is removed from said second female end of said third rod section but held adjacent via said expandable cord, such that said segmented rod forms a W-shape.

17. The compact golf swing assistance system of claim 16 wherein said segmented rod when in a compact condition, an overall length does not exceed a length of said first rod section.

18. A compact golf swing assistance system having:

a segmented rod having a proximate end and a distal end comprising at least;

a first rod section;

a second rod section;

a third rod section; and

a fourth rod section;

wherein said fourth rod section comprises said first male end and said second male end;

wherein each of said second female ends of said segmented rods comprise metal reinforcement for adjacent-coupling to said first male ends;

wherein said proximate end of said segmented rod and said distal end of said segmented rod each comprise a rubber cap;

wherein said expandable cord comprises a shock cord;

wherein said expandable cord is attached interiorly to said first rod section at said proximate end and to said fourth rod section at said distal end using at least one knot;

wherein said expandable cord has sufficient contraction-tension that when said segmented rod is held vertically by said proximate end, said first male ends and said second female ends of said rod sections are held joined together causing said segmented rod to be rigid;

wherein said first male end of each of said rod sections is smaller in circumference than each of said second female end(s) that when removably joined together, each connection comprising an interference fit;

wherein said segmented rod when in a compact state provides that said first male end of said second rod section is removed from said second female end of said first rod section but held adjacent via said expandable cord, said first male end of said third rod section is removed from said second female end of said second rod section but held adjacent via said expandable cord, and said first male end of said fourth rod section is removed from said second female end of said third rod section but held adjacent via said expandable cord, such that said segmented rod forms a W-shape;

wherein said segmented rod when in a compact condition, an overall length does not exceed a length of said first rod section;

wherein said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section comprise a hollow cylindrical interior;

wherein said expandable cord passes interiorly through said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section such that said expandable cord is not attached to said second rod section and said third rod section, said expandable cord attached to said first male end of said first rod section and said second male end of said fourth rod section;

wherein said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section comprise fiberglass; and

wherein when said first rod section, said second rod section, said third rod section, and said fourth rod section are removably joined together form a straight rod, said straight rod usable as a visual guide indicator to a golfer-user indicating a proper swing direction;

19. A compact golf swing assistance system of claim 18 comprising a kit having:

said segmented rod having at least two said rod sections joined interiorly by said expandable cord at said proximate end and said distal end; and

a set of user instructions for use in golf swing alignment.

20. A method of use for a compact golf swing assistance system comprising the steps of:

friction-inserting a first male end of a second rod section into a second female end of a first rod section;

friction-inserting a first male end of a third rod section into a second female end of a second rod section;

friction-inserting a first male end of a fourth rod section into a second female end of a third rod section;

placing an assembled segmented rod on a ground surface adjacent a golf T directionally pointing toward a subsequent flag;

directionally swinging a golf club to impact a golf ball;

uncoupling coupled said first male ends from coupled said second female ends and doubling adjacent said segmented rod sections to form a W shape; and

storing said compact golf swing assistance system.