US3897068A - Golf swing training device - Google Patents

Abstract

An elongated shaft is provided of a length substantially equal to the length of a driver golf club and one end of the shaft is provided with a hand-grip similar to those provided on golf clubs. The other end of the shaft has an enlarged abutment thereon spaced from the terminal end thereof and a weight member is provided having a bore formed therethrough of a size to snugly receive the terminal end portion of the shaft remote from the handgrip therethrough with the weight member slidable on the shaft, but lightly frictionally held in position thereon. The weight is preferably constructed of shape retentive rubber or plastic and the entire combination consisting of the shaft, the weight member and the abutment member is of a total weight and balance equivalent to the weight and balance of a driver golf club.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Staples 1 July 29, 1975 [54] GOLF SWING TRAINING DEVICE [76] Inventor: William N. Staples,--2 Howard Ct.,

Newport News, Va. 23601 [22] Filed: Aug. 16, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 498,244

[52] US. Cl 273/186 A; 273/193 R; 273/58 A; 124/5 [51} Int. Cl A63b 69/36 [58] Field of Search 273/186, 194, 96 B, 58 D, 273/193; 124/5 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,168,808 l/1916 Hoffmann 124/5 2,388,463 11/1945 Benecke 273/186 A 2,705,148 3/1955 Waller 124/5 X 2,902,023 9/1959 Waller 124/5 3,351,346 11/1967 Strahan 273/186 A 3,434,722 3/1969 Esposito 273/186 A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS United Kingdom 124/5 Primary ExaminerGeorge .1, Marlo Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson 5 7 ABSTRACT An elongated shaft is provided of a length substantially equal to the length of a driver golf club and one end of the shaft is provided with a hand-grip similar to those provided on golf clubs. The other end of the shaft has an enlarged abutment thereon spaced from the terminal end thereof and a weight member is provided having a bore formed therethrough of a size to snugly receive the terminal end portion of the shaft remote from the handgrip therethrough with the weight member slidable on the shaft, but lightly fric- *tional1y held in position thereon. The weight is preferably constructed of shape retentive rubber or plastic and the entire combination consisting of the shaft, the weight member and the abutment member is of a total weight and balance equivalent to the weight and balance of a driver golf club.

2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures GOLF SWING TRAINING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore various types of golf swing training devices have been designed but many of these have been specifically designed to improve only one particular portion of a golfers swing. As an example, some golf swing training devices have been designed to improve the golfers follow-through while other training devices have been designed to improve the snap action of the wrists of a golfer at the bottom of a golf swing. Also, some golf swing training devices have been specifically designed to assist in improving the backswing of a golfer.

Examples of golf swing training devices and other devices including structural features somewhat similar to the various structural features of the instant invention may be found in US. Pat. Nos. 1,527,532, 1,529,851, l,556,794, 2,288,463, 3,136,546 and 3,434,722.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The golf swing practice device of the instant invention has been designed in a manner whereby a golfer may improve his backswing, the breaking of his wrists at the bottom of his golf swing, his follow-through and proper body attitude and club acceleration during the downstroke of a golf swing.

It is unusual to find a golf swing training device which is capable of enabling a golfer to practice upon and im' prove more than one portion of his golf swing and even more unusual to find a golf swing training device which is capable of enabling a golfer to practice and to improve upon four different aspects of his golf swing.

The main object of this invention is to provide a multi-purpose golf swing training device which will be capable of enabling a golfer to practice and improve upon more than one aspect of his golf swing.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a golf swing training device which may be used to practice and improve upon a golfers backswing, his downswing, the breaking of his wrists at the bottom of his stroke and his follow-through.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a golf swing training device which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and trouble-free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf swing practice device of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the end ofthe training device remote from the handgrip end portion thereof and illustrating the manner in which the enlarged weight is mounted on the end of the shaft portion of the training device;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a golfer using the training device of the instant invention in a manner properly depicting the backstroke of a golf swing;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view illustrating a golfer using the training and illustrating a proper downswing;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a golfer using the training device and illustrating an improper backswing; and

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a golfer using the training device illustrating an improper downswing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the golf swing practice device of the instant invention. The practice device 10 includes a tapered shaft 12 of a length and diameter generally corresponding to the length and diameter of a conventional golf club. One end of the shaft is provided with a substantially conventional handgrip l4 and the other end portion of the shaft 12 is provided with a diametrically enlarged disc-shaped abutment l6 fixedly attached to the shaft 12 inany convenient manner a spaced distance from the end thereof remote from the handgrip 14.

In addition to the shaft 12, handgrip l4 and abutment 16, the practice device 10 includes a spherical weight member 18 having a diametric bore 20 formed there through in which a sleeve 22 is secured. The weight member 18 is preferably constructed of shape-retentive rubber or plastic and the weight member 18 is telescoped onto the end portion of the shaft 12 remote from the handgrip 14; The fit of the shaft 12 in the sleeve 22 is such that the weight member 18 is slidable on the shaft 12 but lightly frictionally retained in position on the shaft 12.

With reference now more specifically to FIG. 3 of the drawings it may be seen that a golfer 24 is illustrated using the golf swing practice device 10 in a manner to illustrate the termination of a proper backswing whereby the shaft 12 is slightly upwardly inclined away from the handgrip 14 in a manner such that the weight member 18 may not fall by gravity from the corresponding end of the shaft 12. On the other hand, with attention invited to FIG. 5, the golfer 24 is illustrated using the golf swing practice device 10 in a manner to illustrate an improper backswing wherein the free end of the shaft 12 is downwardly inclined so as to enable the weight member 18 to fall by gravity behind the golfer 24 to the ground. Of course, the backswing illustrated in FIG. 5 is too excessive and therefore the free end of the shaft 12 is downwardly inclined allowing the weight member 18 to slide off the shaft 12 onto the ground.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIG. 4 of the drawings the golfer 24 is illustrated using the golf swing practice device 10 in a manner to illustrate a proper downswing whereby the wrists remain cocked and the free end of the shaft 12 remains in an upwardly inclined position immediately prior to the wrists of the golfer 24 reaching their lowermost point of the swing. In this manner, the shaft 12 is gradually accelerated in a downward direction with the free end thereof in an upwardly inclined position and the weight member 18 is retained by gravity on the free end of the shaft 12.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIG. 6 of the drawings, the golfer 24 is illustrated using the golf swing practice device 10) in an improper manner with his wrists in a straightened condition prior to the bottom of the swing and thus the free end of the shaft 12 in a considerably downwardly inclined position such that the weight member 18 falls to the ground in front of the golfer 24 to his extreme right.

If, with attention again invited to FIG. 4, a correct downswing is continued past the point illustrated in FIG. 4 and the wrists remain cocked until just prior to the lowermost point of the swing the weight member 18 will be maintained on the free end of the shaft 12 until the wrists are broken and the weight member 18 will then fall from the free end of the shaft 12 to the front of and closely adjacent the golfer 24. Likewise, if the proper downswing such as that illustrated in FIG. 4 is carried out and the wrists 18 break at the lowest point of the golf swing the follow-through executed by the golfer is substantially assured. Accordingly. the golf swing training device of the instant invention is operative to assist a golfer with four aspects of his golf swing.

The length, weight and balance of the entire golf swing practice device including the shaft 12, the abutment 16 and the weight member 18 substantially duplicates the length, weight and balance of a conventional golf club and the shaft 12 may of course be made in different lengths for golfers of different sizes.

The abutment member 16 may be constructed of any suitable material capable of being fixed in position on the shaft 12 and weight members of slightly different weights may be provided to vary the overall weight and balance of the practice device according to the weight and balance of the clubs of the golfer intending to use the practice device 10.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A straight elongated shaft having a handgrip on one first end portion thereof, the second end portion of said shaft being cylindrical. tapering toward the terminal end thereof and free of enlargements throughout at least a predetermined length thereof, a generally spherical weight member having a substantially constant diameter cylindrical passage formed therethrough on a diameter of said weight member and of a size to snugly receive said tapering second end portion therethrough with a larger diameter portion of said tapered second end portion lightly frictionally seated in the end of said passage remote from the terminal end of said second end portion. the length, weight and lengthwise balance of said shaft, with said weight member thereon. closely approximating the length, weight and lengthwise balance of a conventional golf driving club. said weight member being lightly frictionally retained in position on said tapered second end portion at a point spaced a predetermined distance from the terminal end thereof, but being freely slidable thereon upon slight shifting of said weight member toward the terminal end of said second end portion.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said passage is defined by the interior of an open-ended sleeve secured through said weight member.

Claims (2)

1. A straight elongated shaft having a handgrip on one first end portion thereof, the second end portion of said shaft being cylindrical, tapering toward the terminal end thereof and free of enlargements throughout at least a predetermined length thereof, a generally spherical weight member having a substantially constant diameter cylindrical passage formed therethrough on a diameter of said weight member and of a size to snugly receive said tapering second end portion therethrough with a larger diameter portion of said tapered second end portion lightly frictionally seated in the end of said passage remote from the terminal end of said second end portion, the length, weight and lengthwise balance of said shaft, with said weight member thereon, closely approximating the length, weight and lengthwise balance of a conventional golf driving club, said weight member being lightly frictionally retained in position on said tapered second end portion at a point spaced a predetermined distance from the terminal end thereof, but being freely slidable thereon upon slight shifting of said weight member toward the terminal end of said second end portion.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said passage is defined by the interior of an open-ended sleeve secured through said weight member.

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