WO2018039684A2

WO2018039684A2 - A golf swing training aid

Info

Publication number: WO2018039684A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2017/050022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoffel William VAN TONDER; Wayne Brett Westner
Original assignee: CRATOR, Jeni
Priority date: 2016-04-08
Filing date: 2017-04-10
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Also published as: WO2018039684A3

Abstract

According to the invention, there is provided a golf swing training aid which includes a support member, an arm, a mounting assembly for mounting the arm on the support member so as to allow the arm to describe a desired arc and plane to be followed by a golf club throughout a swing according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics, and a connecting assembly arranged on a free end region of the arm for allowing interconnection between the golf club and the arm.

Description

A GOLF SWING TRAINING AID

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a golf swing training aid, more particularly to a golf swing training aid for aiding a golfer in achieving consistency in his set up and swing path.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Golf is a difficult sport to learn, particularly the skill of swinging the golf club in the same consistent plane to constantly produce the most efficient and accurate stroke. A golfer who lacks a proper consistent golf swing will continue to mishit the ball and / or hit the ball inaccurate leading to frustration.

The golf swing is a complicated action due to the accuracy involved in executing the back swing, down swing and follow through actions.

Many factors determine improper execution of the golf swing whereunder improper rotation of the wrists and improper body stance. One of the difficulties in adapting the correct swing is that it is hard to translate theory into practice, and it is difficult to demonstrate the steps of the correct swing as each step only last for milliseconds only. The inventor having considered the above, proposes a golf swing training aid as described hereunder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is provided a golf swing training aid which includes:

a support member;

an arm; l a mounting assembly for mounting the arm on the support member so as to allow the arm to describe a desired arc and plane to be followed by a golf club throughout a swing according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics; and

a connecting assembly arranged on a free end region of the arm for allowing interconnection between the golf club and the arm.

The support member may be in the form of a ground engaging member and a support post which may be configured to co-operate with the ground engaging member. The ground engaging member may be in the form of a panel which may be configured to be laid on the ground in an operative condition. The ground engaging member may include a plurality of interconnectable panels so as to increase the surface area thereof to allow a user to stand on the ground engaging member in use.

The interconnectable panels may include any suitable conventional connecting arrangement for allowing releasable interconnection between the panels to facilitate stowage thereof in a stowage condition.

The ground engaging member may include a support connecting member arranged an edge region of the ground engaging member for permitting pivotal interconnection between the ground engaging member and the support post. The support connecting member may be in the form of any suitable conventional pivotal connecting arrangement for pivotally connecting the support post to the ground engaging member.

A support post adjustment arrangement may be provided which may extend between and interconnect the support post and the ground engaging member for allowing angular adjustment and retention of the support post relative the ground engaging member according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics. The support post adjustment arrangement may include a strut which is pivotally connected at one end region thereof to the ground engaging member and a guide arrangement on an opposing end region of the strut for guiding said opposing end region of the strut longitudinally the support post during pivotal adjustment thereof. The guide arrangement may include a track which may be arranged longitudinally the support post and a slider arranged on the opposing end region of the strut which may be shaped and/or configured to be received complementally the track and to be displaced slidably therein.

A stabiliser may be provided which extends between and interconnects the support post and the ground engaging member for facilitating stabilising of the support post in use. The stabiliser may be in the form of a pair of stays which extend between a free end region of the support post and end regions of the ground engaging member on either side of the support post.

The arm may be substantially L-shaped.

The mounting assembly may include a support post mounting portion for allowing longitudinal displacement of the arm along the support post and an arm mounting portion for allowing pivotal displacement of the arm relative the support post. The arm mounting portion may include an arm adjustor for allowing a radius of the arm to be adjusted according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics. A clutch assembly may be provided for allowing incremental adjustment of the arm mounting portion between a declutched condition wherein the arm is able to pivot freely and a clutched condition wherein the arm is locked in position relative the support post. The connecting assembly may include an arm connector arranged towards the free end region of the arm for allowing pivotal displacement of the golf club relative the arm. The connecting assembly may further include an extension which extends between and interconnects the arm connector and a golf club. A connector clutch assembly may be provided for allowing incremental adjustment of the arm connector between a declutched condition wherein the extension is able to pivot freely and a clutched condition wherein the extension is locked in position relative the arm. The connecting assembly may further include a golf club connector which may interconnect a free end region of the extension and the golf club. The golf club connector may include a lie angle adjustment assembly for allowing pivotal displacement of a head of the golf club relative the ground engaging member to allow a lie angle of the golf club to be adjusted according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics and a golf club pivot assembly for allowing pivotal displacement of a golf club about its longitudinal axis.

The golf club connector may further include a lie adjustment limiter for limiting the pivotal displacement of the head of the golf club relative the ground engaging member.

The golf club connector may yet further include a golf club pivot limiter for limiting the pivotal displacement of the golf club relative its longitudinal axis.

The golf club connector may include a receiving portion for receiving and retaining a shaft of the golf club relative the golf club pivot assembly.

An actuator may be provided which may be arranged in communication with the arm for actuating the arm to allow a golfer to develop a feeling of the desired arc and plane of movement of the pivot arm while holding on to the golf club.

Indicators may be provided which extend longitudinally the support post for allowing a user to take note of and replicate the position of the arm relative the support post of a particular golfer's anatomical characteristics.

A golf club connector for a golf swing training aid, the golf club connector including: - a lie adjustment assembly for allowing pivotal displacement of a head of a golf club relative a ground engaging member to allow a lie angle of the golf club to be adjusted according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics; a golf club pivot assembly for allowing pivotal displacement of the golf club relative a longitudinal axis thereof; and

a receiving portion for receiving and retaining a shaft of the golf club relative the golf club pivot assembly.

A lie adjustment limiter may be provided for limiting pivotal displacement of the head of the golf club relative the ground engaging member.

A golf club pivot limiter may be provided for limiting the pivotal displacement of the golf club relative the longitudinal axis thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings: - Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a golf swing training aid in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of the golf swing training aid with the panels of the ground engaging member shown in a dismantled condition;

Figures 3 to 7 are three-dimensional views of the golf swing training aid in various positions of a golf swing;

Figure 8 shows three-dimensional enlarged views of the mounting assembly of the golf swing training aid in contrasting positions;

Figure 9 shows three-dimensional enlarged views of the connecting assembly of the golf swing training aid in contrasting positions;

Figures 10 and 1 1 are three-dimensional views of the golf club connector in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 12 is a front view of the golf club connector shown in Figures 10 and 1 1 ;

Figure 13 shows exploded and sectioned views of the golf club connector as shown in Figures 10 to 12;

Figure 14 is a sectioned side view of the golf club connector;

Figure 15 shows three-dimensional views of the attachment procedure of the golf club connector to the golf club;

Figures 16 and 17 show the golf club connector in various positions demonstrating the lie angle adjustment assembly; and Figures 18 to 21 show the golf club connector in various positions demonstrating the golf club pivot assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a golf swing training aid in accordance with the present invention which includes a support member 12 , an arm 14, a mounting assembly 16 for mounting the arm on the support member 12 so as to allow the arm 14 to describe a desired arc and plane to be followed by a golf club 18 throughout a swing according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics, and a connecting assembly 20 arranged on a free end region of the arm 14 for allowing interconnection between the golf club 18 and the arm 14.

The support member 12 is in the form of a ground engaging member 22 and a support post 24 which is configured to co-operate with the ground engaging member 22. The ground engaging member 22 is in the form of a panel 26 which is configured to be laid on the ground in an operative condition. The ground engaging member 22 includes a plurality of interconnectable panels 26 so as to increase the surface area thereof. The interconnectable panels 26 include connecting arrangement (not shown) in the form of a nut and bolt arrangement (not shown) for allowing releasable interconnection between the panels to facilitate stowage thereof in a stowage condition. The ground engaging member 22 includes a support connecting member 28 arranged an edge region 30 of the ground engaging member 22 for permitting pivotal interconnection between the ground engaging member 22 and the support post 24. The support connecting member 28 includes a support post receiving zone 32 arranged substantially centrally thereto for receiving a portion of the support post 24 therein. The support connecting member 28 is in the form of a conventional pivotal connecting arrangement 32 for pivotally connecting the support post 24 to the ground engaging member 22. A support post adjustment arrangement 36 is provided which extends between and interconnects the support post 24 and the ground engaging member 22 for allowing angular adjustment and retention of the support post 24 relative the ground engaging member 22 according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics. The support post adjustment arrangement 36 includes a strut 38 which is pivotally connected at one end region 40 thereof to the ground engaging member 22 and a guide arrangement 42 on an opposing end region 44 of the strut 38 for guiding said opposing end region 44 of the strut 38 longitudinally the support post 24 during pivotal adjustment thereof. The guide arrangement 42 includes a track 46 which is arranged longitudinally the support post 24 and a slider 48 connected to the opposing end region 44 of the strut 38 which is shaped and/or configured to be received complementally the track 46 and to be displaced slidably therein.

A stabiliser 50 is provided which extends between and interconnects the support post 24 and the support connecting member 28 of the ground engaging member 22 for stabilising support post 24 in use. The stabiliser is in the form of a pair of stays 52 which extend between a free end region 54 of the support post 24 and end regions 56 of the ground engaging member 22 on either side of the support post 24.

The arm 14 is substantially L-shaped.

The mounting assembly 16 includes a support post mounting portion 58 for allowing longitudinal displacement of the arm 14 along the support post 24 and an arm mounting portion 60 for allowing pivotal displacement of the arm 14 relative the support post 24. The support post mounting portion 58 includes a mounting slider 62 which is sized, shaped and configured to be received complementally within the track 46 on the support post 24 and to be displaced slidably therein. A mounting slider securing arrangement 64 is provided for releasably securing the mounting slider 62 at a selected position within the track 46. The mounting slider securing arrangement 64 is in the form of a suitable releasable nut and bolt arrangement (not shown). The arm mounting portion 60 includes an arm adjustor 66 for allowing the arm 14 to be displaced relative the ground engaging member 22 according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics. The arm adjustor 66 includes an aperture 68 which is sized, shaped and configured to receive a portion of the arm 14 slidably therein so as to allow displacement of the arm 14 relative the support post 24. An arm securing arrangement 70 is provided for releasably securing the arm 14 at a selected position within the aperture 68 relative the support post 24.

The arm mounting portion 60 further includes an arm pivot joint 72 for allowing pivotal displacement of the arm 14 relative the support post 24. The arm pivot joint 72 is in the form of a bearing assembly (not shown).

A clutch assembly (not shown) is provided for allowing incremental adjustment of the arm mounting portion 60 between a declutched condition wherein the arm 14 is able to pivot freely and a clutched condition wherein the arm 14 is locked in position relative the support post 24. The clutch assembly allows the golf swing training aid to be set to simulate a putting swing to allow a user to practice and develop a consistent putting swing.

The connecting assembly 20 includes an arm connector 76 arranged towards the free end region 78 of the arm 14 for allowing pivotal displacement of the golf club 18 relative the arm 14. The arm connector 76 is in the form of a bearing assembly (not shown) for allowing pivotal displacement of the golf club 18 relative the arm 14. The connecting assembly 20 further includes an extension 80 which extends between and interconnects the arm connector 76 and the golf club 18.

A connector clutch assembly (not shown) is provided for allowing incremental adjustment of the arm connector 76 between a declutched condition wherein the extension 80 is able to pivot freely and a clutched condition wherein the extension 80 is locked in position relative the arm 14. The connector clutch assembly allows the golf swing training aid to be set to simulate a chipping swing to allow a user to practice and develop a consistent chipping swing.

The connecting assembly 20 yet further includes a golf club connector 84 which interconnects a free end region 86 of the extension 80 and the golf club 18. The golf club connector 84 includes a lie angle adjustment assembly 88 for allowing pivotal displacement of a head 18.1 of the golf club 18 relative the ground engaging member 22 to allow a lie angle 90 of the golf club 18 to be adjusted according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics and a golf club pivot assembly 92 for allowing pivotal displacement of the golf club 18 about its longitudinal axis 94.

The lie angle adjustment assembly 88 includes an extension receiving zone 96 which is defined in a body 98 of the golf club connector 84. The extension receiving zone 96 is sized, shaped and configured to receive the free end region 86 of the extension 80 therein. An extension connector 100 is provided for pivotally connecting the extension 80 within the extension receiving zone 96 of the body 98. The extension connector 100 is in the form of a conventional nut and bolt arrangement 102. A lie adjustment limiter 104 is provided for limiting the pivotal displacement of a head 18.1 of a golf club 18 relative the ground engaging member 22. The lie adjustment limiter 104 is in the form of a pair of bolts 106 which are configured to protrude into the extension receiving zone 96 and change the size thereof, thereby defining a range of pivotal displacement of the golf club 18 relative the extension 80.

The golf club pivot assembly 92 includes a receiving portion in the form of a channel 108 defined in the body 98 of the golf club connector 84 and a tubular member 1 10 which is sized, shaped and configured to be received pivotally within the channel 108 and to receive a shaft 1 12 of the golf club 18 therein. A golf club pivot limiter 1 14 is provided for limiting the pivotal displacement of the golf club 18 relative its longitudinal axis 94. The golf club pivot limiter 1 14 is in the form of a stopper 1 16 which protrudes from an end region of the tubular member 1 10. The stopper 1 16 is configured to come into contact with the body 98 of the golf club connector 84 at two predetermined angular positions 1 18 and 120 of the tubular member 1 10 relative the body 98 of the golf club connector 84. The two predetermined angular positions 1 18 and 120 define a range of angular displacement of the tubular member 1 10 and thus the golf club 18 relative the body 98 of the golf club connector 84. A securing arrangement 122 is provided for pivotally securing the tubular member 1 10 to the body of the golf club connector 84.

The inventor believes the golf swing training aid in accordance with the present invention to be advantageous in that it allows a user to develop a consistent golf swing that remains on plane and produces consistent golf shots and additionally, it serves to indicate any flaws in an already developed golf swing and allows a golfer to make the necessary adjustments thereto. The inventor believes it to be a further advantage that the golf swing training aid is designed to fold away into a relative small bag thereby improving the mobility of the golf swing training aid.

It is, of course, to be appreciated that the golf swing training aid in accordance with the present invention is not limited to the precise constructional and functional details as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and which may be varied as desired.

Claims

1 . A golf swing training aid which includes:

a support member;

an arm;

a mounting assembly for mounting the arm on the support member so as to allow the arm to describe a desired arc and plane to be followed by a golf club throughout a swing according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics; and

2. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member is in the form of a ground engaging member and a support post which is configured to be mounted on the ground engaging member.

3. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 2 wherein the ground engaging member is in the form of a panel which is configured to be laid on the ground in an operative condition.

4. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ground engaging member includes a plurality of interconnectable panels so as to increase the surface area thereof to allow a user to stand on the ground engaging member in use.

5. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 4 wherein any conventional connecting means is provided for allowing releasable interconnection between the panels to facilitate stowage thereof in a stowage condition.

6. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one or more of the claims 2 to 5 wherein the ground engaging member includes a support connecting member arranged an edge region of the ground engaging member for permitting pivotal interconnection between the ground engaging member and the support post.

7. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 6 wherein the support connecting member is in the form of any suitable conventional pivotal connecting arrangement for pivotally connecting the support post to the ground engaging member.

8. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one or more of the claims 2 to 7 which includes a support post adjustment arrangement which extends between and interconnects the support post and the ground engaging member for allowing angular adjustment and retention of the support post relative the ground engaging member according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics.

9. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 8 wherein the support post adjustment arrangement includes a strut which is pivotally connected at one end region thereof to the ground engaging member, and a guide arrangement on an opposing end region of the strut for guiding said opposing end region of the strut longitudinally the support post during pivotal adjustment thereof.

10. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 9 wherein the guide arrangement includes a track which is arranged longitudinally the support post and a slider arranged on the opposing end region of the strut which is shaped and/or configured to be received complementally the track and to be displaced slidably therein.

1 1. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one or more claims 2 to 10 which includes a stabiliser which extends between and interconnects the support post and the support connecting member of the ground engaging member for facilitating stabilising of the support post in use.

12. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the stabiliser is in the form of a pair of stays which extend between a free end region of the support post and end regions of the ground engaging member on either side of the support post.

13. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the arm is substantially L-shaped.

14. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one or more of the claims 2 to 13 wherein the mounting assembly includes a support post mounting portion for allowing longitudinal displacement of the arm along the support post and an arm mounting portion for allowing pivotal displacement of the arm relative the support post.

15. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 14 wherein the arm mounting portion includes an arm adjustor for allowing a radius of the arm to be adjusted according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics.

16. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claims 14 or 15 which includes a clutch assembly for allowing incremental adjustment of the arm mounting portion between a declutched condition wherein the arm is able to pivot freely and a clutched condition wherein the arm is locked in position relative the support post.

17. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the connecting assembly includes an arm connector arranged towards the free end region of the arm for allowing pivotal displacement of the golf club relative the arm.

18. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 17 wherein the connecting assembly includes an extension which extends between and interconnects the arm connector and the golf club.

19. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 17 or 18 wherein the connecting assembly includes a connector clutch assembly for allowing incremental adjustment of the arm connector between a declutched condition wherein the extension is able to pivot freely and a clutched condition wherein the extension is locked in position relative the arm.

20. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one or more of the claims 17 to 19 wherein the connecting assembly includes a golf club connector which interconnects a free end region of the extension and the golf club.

21 . A golf swing training aid as claimed in 20 wherein the golf club connector includes a lie adjustment assembly for allowing pivotal displacement of a head of the golf club relative the ground engaging member to allow a lie angle of the golf club to be adjusted according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics.

22. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one or more of the claims 20 to 22 wherein the golf club connector includes a lie adjustment limiter for limiting the pivotal displacement of the head of the golf club relative the ground engaging member.

23. A golf swing training aid as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein the golf club connector includes a golf club pivot assembly for allowing pivotal displacement of a golf club about its longitudinal axis.

24. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one or more of the claims 20 to 23 wherein the golf club connector includes a golf club pivot limiter for limiting the pivotal displacement of the golf club relative its longitudinal axis.

25. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one or more of the claims 17 to 24 wherein the golf club connector includes a receiving portion for receiving and retaining a shaft of the golf club relative the golf club pivot assembly.

26. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims which includes an actuator in communication with the arm for actuating the arm to allow a golfer to develop a feeling of the desired arc and plane of movement of the pivot arm while holding on to the golf club.

27. A golf swing training aid as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein indicators are provided which extend longitudinally the support post for allowing a user to take note of and replicate the position of the arm relative the support post of a particular golfer's anatomical characteristics.

28. A golf swing training aid, according to the invention, substantially as hereinbefore described or exemplified.

29. A golf swing training aid, as specifically described with reference to or as illustrated in any one of the accompanying drawings.

30. A golf swing training aid, including any new or inventive integer or combination of integers, substantially as herein described.

31. A golf club connector for a golf swing training aid, the golf club connector including: - a lie adjustment assembly for allowing pivotal displacement of a head of a golf club relative a ground engaging member to allow a lie angle of the golf club to be adjusted according to a golfer's anatomical characteristics;

a golf club pivot assembly for allowing pivotal displacement of the golf club relative a longitudinal axis thereof; and

32. A golf club connector as claimed in claim 31 wherein the golf club connector includes a lie adjustment limiter for limiting pivotal displacement of the head of the golf club relative the ground engaging member.

33. A golf club connector as claimed in claim 31 or 32 wherein the golf club connector includes a golf club pivot limiter for limiting the pivotal displacement of the golf club relative the longitudinal axis thereof

34. A golf club connector, according to the invention, substantially as hereinbefore described or exemplified.

35. A golf club connector, as specifically described with reference to or as illustrated in any one of the accompanying drawings.

36. A golf club connector, including any new or inventive integer or combination of integers, substantially as herein described.