Golf stance and movement training device

[0002] Not applicable.

[0003] An invention relating to a golf-training device, specifically designed for stance, movement and swing axis.

[0004] Anyone who has played golf knows the stance or setup position is the foundation of the swing. Any deviation of setup position or loss of balance during the swing will cause a poor shot. There are other factors that affect the golf swing too. For example, lateral, vertical movement, rotation of upper body, swing plane and grip. At present stance related golf training aids, do little to promote a consistent and proper stance. A simple, easy to use training device was needed that would bend the knees and back to form the proper angles for stance, promote balance, control lateral, vertical movement, aid in the rotation of upper body around the axis of the spine, and allow you to maintain that position throughout the golf swing. Through certain repetitive motions in the training device, utilizing specific muscles, it encourages muscle memory. This repetitive motion helps a golfer develop a repeatable golf swing on or off the golf course. Other products have tried to achieve this, but fall short of completeness. The present invention has all the elements necessary to fulfill this need.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 583,007, relies on a back bar, hip bar and knee brace mounted on a frame to promote a proper stance and control movement. Device shows no guides that would indicate how a proper stance could be achieved. A device was needed that would form the correct angles of the spine and knee in the stance, utilizing a vertical axis bar and knee brace. The hip bar attached to the buttocks bar on said device, does not produce the controlled movement as well as a bar horizontally across lower back and angled down to hips. The kneepad in said patent, limits itself to lateral movement, which is not as effective as a knee brace that will control lateral or vertical movement and position the knee to the proper angle for stance.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,000, refers to a elevated crank support passing thru the upper body, neck and head for pivotal movement of a golf swing axis. Device uses guides for shoulders and head to intersect with pivotal axis, to control swing axis. Device has constraints that are too confining and restrict free flowing movement of golfer. A less restrictive device was needed.

[0007] Present invention promotes swing axis around an angled padded vertical axis bar. Positioned in center of back as axis of spine, said allows free rotation of torso. Then clearing of said in the follow thru swing.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,885, refers to leg movement limiting device attached to base, assemblies on a saddle attached to golfers hips to promote hip rotation and a vest worn by golfer to position shoulders. Device uses confining and restrictive guides to control axis of swing and lateral movement. A simple device was needed that would provide an angled axis for the spine to rotate around, control lateral and vertical movement, in a less confined and restrictive manner.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 530,326, refers to an adjustable rod on a guidepost, that when adjusted to certain positions, will promote, proper body positions and swing motions. Device, can only work on one aspect of the game at a time. Making it confusing, to try to put all the components of the stance and swing together. A simple device was needed that could provide all the necessary elements needed to position the body in a golf stance and control lateral and vertical movement in a fixed position.

[0010] In accordance with the present invention a golf-training device comprised of a base, three vertical mast, knee brace and upper guide assembly. Guides on said invention positions golfers back and knee at proper angles in stance, promotes balance, controls lateral, vertical movement and keeps golfer centered on axis of spine throughout swing. The primary objects of the invention are to instruct proper stance and proper movement of body in relation to golf swing.

[0011] Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the golf training device described in the above patent, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0012] (a.) to provide an object that will position the knees and back to the proper angles in the stance

[0013] (b.) to provide an object that will control lateral and vertical movement

[0014] (c.) to provide an object for staying centered by rotating around the axis of your spine

[0015] (d.) to provide an object that will promote a balanced swing

[0016] (e.) to provide an object that can be adapted for use by right or left handed golfers

[0017] The present invention satisfies the above objects by providing a golf setup and movement training device that provide support and guides, to achieve the objects described above. Prior to present invention, no simple, easy to use device had been made, to solve the problem of positioning the spine and knee to the proper angles in the stance or to maintaining that position during the swing. No simple and easy to use device had been made, prior to present invention, to help a golfer stay centered by rotating the upper body around the angled axis of his spine. No simple, easy to use device has been made placing golfer on balls of feet for a balanced swing. The present invention is constructed of PVC pipe, PVC fittings, joined by PVC glue, oak wood strip, attached to device with bolts and wing nuts.

[0018] The bottom section of the trainer has a toeboard, which is used to promote balance on the balls of the feet and keep the trainer from tipping over. The knee brace is attached to a vertical mast, positioned on the side of the body producing the back swing. The knee brace contacts the side and back of knee supporting the proper angle for the knee while controlling lateral and vertical movement.

[0019] The upper support assembly, horizontal back bar in conjunction with angled side bar, engages the side of the body from the lower lumbar of back to the hips, effectively controlling lateral and vertical movement of the upper body. A vertical back bar angled at 34 degrees, positioned in the center of the back promotes the proper spine angle and allows you to stay centered by rotating the upper body around said as axis of spine. Further objects and advantages are to provide a golf training aid which is easy to use, portable and weather resistant. Even further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description

[0020] In the drawings closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the golf-training device

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a base

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a knee brace

[0024] FIG. 4 shows an upper support assembly

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a side view with golfer

[0026] FIG. 6 shows a back view with golfer

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a prospective view of applicant's device. As shown it comprises a U shaped base 2a, a toeboard strip 9, connects both sides of said section 2a, individual components of said 2aare shown in detail in FIG. 2. Said 2a, receives three vertical mast 22a, 22b, 22c, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Attached to said 22cis knee brace 3a, as shown in FIG. 1, detailed individual components of said 3ain FIG. 3. The upper support assembly 4a, is slidably attached to said 22a, 22b, 22c, thru sliding 4 way fittings 56a, 56band adjustable 4 way fitting 54 as shown in FIG. 1. Individual components of said 4aare shown in FIG. 4.

[0028] Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown exploded view of said 2a, including 22a, 22band 22c. Said 2ais comprised of said 9, attached to adjustable toeboard post 12a, 12b, by bolt and wing-nut 10a,10b.Inserted into open ends of said 12a, 12bare plastic base end caps 18a, 18b. Said 12a, 12bare attached to base T fitting 14a, 14c. Opposite side of said 14a, 14care predetermined base straight pipe 16aand 16b, connected to end of said 16a, 16bis base 90 degree fitting 13aand 13b. Opposite side of said 13a, 13bare predetermined base straight pipe 16cand 16d, connected to ends of said 16c, 16dis base T fitting 14b. Said 14a, 14b, 14c, receives said 22a, 22b, 22cas shown. Inserted into top of said 22a,22b, 22care mast end caps 23a, 23b, 23cas shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 shows golfer 64, placing toes of feet on said 9, positioning said 64 on balls of feet for balance and aligning toes straight to target line. FIG. 5 shows said 64, using said 9, to stabilize device and as guide for hands during swing.

[0029] Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown in exploded view of said 3a. Comprised of a knee brace adjustable T joint 24a, attached to predetermined knee brace straight pipe 26 and joined with knee brace adjustable T joint 24b. Said 24ais attached to mast with knee brace securing pin 38aat knee height as shown as in FIG. 5. Knee brace telescoping post 28 is attached to said 24bwith knee brace securing pin 38bas shown in FIG. 3. Opposite side said 28 is knee brace T joint 30, connected to said 30 is knee brace horizontal bar 32, slidably attached with knee brace horizontal bar foam pad 33, covering said 32. Opposite side of said 30 is knee brace lateral bar 34. Inserted into open ends of said 32 and said 34 are knee brace plastic end caps 36a, 36b. Said 3aas shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, illustrates the position of said 34, restricting lateral movement of the knee. Said 3aas shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, illustrates said 33 positioned behind the knee to form the proper angle for setup position, also controlling vertical movement.

[0030] Turning now to FIG. 4, there it is shown a detailed top view, of said 4a. Comprised of a telescoping lateral bar 40, attached to angled side bar 7, as shown in FIG. 5. Attached to said 40 is top 90 degree fitting 52a, opposite side of said 52a, is predetermined angled top straight pipe 46a, connected to other end of said 46ais top adjustable T fitting 44a. Telescoping back bar 48, is slidably inserted through said 44aand secured with top securing pin 42a. Opposite side of said 48 is connected to top 90 degree fitting 52b. Opposite side of said fitting 52bis attached an angled vertical axis bar 50, slidably attached to said 50 is vertical axis bar foam pad 51. Attached to open ends of said 50, 48, 40 are top end caps 62a, 62band 62c. Said 40 is slidably inserted through top adjustable T fitting 44band secured with top securing pin 42b. Said 44b, is connected to predetermined top straight pipe 46b. Said 46bis connected to sliding 4 way fitting 56a, opposite side of said 56ais predetermined top straight pipe 46c. Connected to opposite end of said pipe 46cis top 90 degree fitting 52c. Said fitting 52cis attached to predetermined top straight pipe 46d. Said 46dis connected to adjustable 4 way fitting 54. Said 54 is secured to mast 22bwith top securing pin 42cas shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Opposite side of said 54 is predetermined top straight pipe 46e. Attached to opposite side of said 46eis T fitting 58. Attached to said 58 is predetermined top straight pipe 46f, attached to top 90 degree fitting 52d. Opposite side of said 52dis attached measured top straight pipe 46g,connected to sliding 4 way fitting 56b. Said 56bis attached to top measured straight pipe 46h, inserted in the open end of said 46his top end cap 62d. Attached to said 46his detachable spacer bar 8, as shown in FIG. 1, comprised of, top 90 degree fitting 52e, connected to predetermined top measured straight pipe 46i. Opposite side of said pipe 46iis top 90 degree fitting 52f, attached to predetermined top straight pipe 46j.Said 8 can be detached from said 4ato allow more room for hip rotation.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, said 40, is adjustable to said 64 approximate waist size, leaving room for rotation of hips. Extruding section of said 40 as shown by position of golf club 65 in FIG. 6, is used for reference of swing position. Also shown is FIG. 5, FIG. 6, said 51 is adjusted to center of said 64 spine, to form the angle of back at setup position and promote rotation of upper body around the axis of spine.

[0032] Operation of Invention

[0033] The manner of using the golf-training device, is to make adjustments to individual size. This is done by standing in device and sliding upper support assembly 4aup or down vertical mast 22a, 22band 22c. Adjust telescoping back bar 48 to rest on lower back, just above buttocks as in FIG. 5. Attach securing pin 42cto sliding 4 way joint 54 to mast 22bat determined point as in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. This sets the height of said 4aand positions angled side bar 7 from lower back to the hip as in FIG. 5, controlling lateral and vertical movement.

[0034] Adjust telescoping lateral bar 40 to position hips in the center of device, leave space for rotation of hips on side of detachable spacer bar 8 as in FIG. 6. Attach securing pin 42bto sliding T joint 44bat determined position as in FIG. 5. Detachable spacer bar 8 may be detached if needed to allow more space for rotation of hips as in FIG. 4. Extruding section of lateral bar 40 is used as a guide for swing position as shown in FIG. 6.

[0035] Position the padded vertical axis bar 51 in center of back. Adjust telescoping back bar 48 in or out as in FIG. 6, attach securing pin 42ato determined position. Said 51 positions back to proper spine angle thru out swing, and allows golfer to rotate around said 51 as axis of spine.

[0036] Stand erect in device, top end cap 62a, as shown in FIG. 5, of said 51 will be touching center of back. Knee brace horizontal bar foam pad 33 at erect standing position is touching back of knee, knee brace lateral bar 34 is touching side of knee as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Adjust to these positions by sliding adjustable T joint 24a, up or down vertical mast, to determined height of knee and attach with securing pin 38aas shown in FIG. 5.

[0037] Slide knee brace telescoping post 28 in or out thru sliding adjustable T joint 24b, contact back of knee with said 33, attach securing pin 38bto determined position as shown in FIG. 5. Knee brace lateral bar 34, contacting outside knee, controls lateral movement of knee, while said 33 maintains proper angle of knee during swing, restricting the movement of knee to a set position, controlling vertical movement.

[0038] Standing erect, end cap 62aof said 51 in center of back, knee brace 3atouching back and side of knee, move buttocks out, to contact said 48, at lower back as in FIG. 5. Said 51 and said 3afrom bent over position will form golfers individual angles of stance as in FIG. 5. In stance position in device, toes of feet only, should be on toeboard 9, for balance on balls of feet and stability of device as in FIG. 5. Said strip 9 aligns the feet parallel to target line, provides a straight line to guides hands up to extruding section of said 40, at the point shoulders will rotate and wrist cock.

[0039] Adjust said 9 to position toes of feet on said 9 by unbolting bolt and wing-nut 10a, 10b.Move said 9 in or out on base adjustable toeboard post 12a, 12bto desired position and refasten, as in FIG. 2

[0040] Conclusion, Ramifications and Scope

[0041] Thus the reader will see that the golf setup and movement device of invention is highly effective in producing proper stance and controlling movement. Reader will see the versatility of device and ease of use. Furthermore the golf setup and movement device has additional advantages in that

[0042] allows flexibility, so golfer can move smoothly

[0043] provides weather resistant materials

[0044] allows easy dismantling for storage or transport

[0045] While my above description contains many specifities, these should not be construed as limititations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment there of. Many other variations are possible. For example toeboard strip, bottom section, masts, knee brace and upper support assembly elements can be eliminated, changed in size, shape, color, or material, attached to adjacent elements in a different manner or made integrally, or separately.