Golf exercise methods and apparatus

[0001] Disclosed herein is subject matter that is entitled to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/281,016, filed Nov. 12, 2009.

[0002] The present invention relates to golf exercise methods and apparatus, and more specifically, to exercising muscles associated with a person's golf swing and exercising in a manner that improves a person's golf swing.

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide exercise methods and apparatus for exercising muscles associated with a person's golf swing and exercising in a manner that improves a person's golf swing. Another object of the present invention is to provide improved golf swing exercising and training devices.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a person practices his golf swing by assuming a conventional golf stance with a first resistance device secured in place proximate his left toes, and with a second resistance device secured in place proximate his right toes. A flexible member from the first resistance device is secured to a golf club handle, and a flexible member from the second resistance device is secured to the golf club handle. The person then moves the golf club handle in a manner consistent with at least a portion of a conventional golf swing.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, a base is sized and configured to rest on a flat underlying surface and to accommodate a person's left foot and right foot in a conventional golf stance. A first resistance device is mounted to the base proximate the person's left foot, and a second resistance device is mounted to the base proximate the person's right foot. Each resistance device includes a respective flexible member having a distal end connected to a handle. The handle is sized and configured to accommodate a person's left hand and right hand in a conventional golf grip.

[0006] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a base is configured to be screwed into turf and underlying dirt, and a resistance device is secured to the base. The resistance device includes a flexible member connected to a force receiving member. According to still another aspect of the present invention, one such base is secured in place proximate the left toes of a person occupying a conventional golf stance, and another such base is secured in place proximate the right toes of a person occupying a conventional golf stance. The force receiving member includes at least a golf grip sized and configured to accommodate a person's left and right hands in a conventional grip, and a location for attaching each flexible member to the golf grip.

[0007] Each of the above-described resistance devices preferably includes a rotatable sheave for its flexible member, and a rewind spring that biases the flexible member toward a retracted position onto the sheave. Also, such devices are preferably releasably secured to their respective bases, and may be removed and “palmed” to perform various known muscles strengthening and/or toning exercises. Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the more detailed description that follows.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a person P performing a golf swing exercise in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The person P has assumed a conventional golf stance with a first resistance device 300 secured in place proximate his left foot F1, and with a second resistance device 300 secured in place proximate his right foot F2. A flexible member 620 emanates from the first resistance device 300 and is connected to the handle of an otherwise conventional golf club 110. Similarly, a flexible member 620 emanates from the second resistance device 300 and is connected to the handle of the golf club 110. With his hands H occupying a conventional grip on the handle of the golf club 110, the person P has moved the golf club 110 in a manner consistent with at least a portion of a conventional golf swing.

[0034] Each resistance device 300 is mounted on a respective end of a base member 200. FIG. 2 shows the base member 200 and the resistance devices 300 in isolation. The base member 200 may be described in terms of a foot strip or platform 202, and receptacles or anchors 230 secured to opposite ends of the platform 202. The platform 202 is preferably stamped from a sheet of steel and configured to lie flat on an underlying support surface. Also, the platform 202 is sized and configured to support the feet F of a person P assuming a range of conventional golf stances, one of which is shown in FIG. 1, for example.

[0035] Each receptacle 230 is preferably injection molded plastic that is secured to the platform 202 by suitable fasteners, such as screws, for example. As further discussed below with reference to the resistance devices 300, each receptacle 320 is sized and configured to selectively receive and retain a resistance device 300 in a manner that is reliable and convenient. On the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, two receptacles 230 are disposed at each end of the platform 202 to define alternative mounting locations for the resistance devices 300. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that alternative embodiments of the present invention may be constructed with only one receptacle 230 at each end of the platform 202.

[0036] FIGS. 3-4 show how the cables 620 are connected to the golf club 110 in FIG. 1. A respective carabineer 622 is secured to a distal end of each flexible member 620, and both carabineers 622 are secured to a fastener 120 via a ring 122. The ring 122 is connected to a clamp 121 via a rivet or other suitable means. The fastener also includes a lever 123 that is movably connected to the clamp 121 for movement between a squeezing position and a release position. The clamp 121 is sized and configured to fit onto the hand grip portion 112 of the golf club 110 when the lever occupies the release position, and to firmly squeeze the hand grip portion 112 when the lever occupies the squeezing position. As shown in FIG. 3, the fastener 120 is preferably secured to the golf club 110 proximate a juncture defined between a lower end of the hand grip portion 112 and an upper end of the shaft portion 114 of the club 110.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows an alternative fastener arrangement for securing the flexible members 620 to a golf club handle 150. On this embodiment, the golf club handle 150 is not part of a conventional golf club, but instead, is part of an alternative embodiment force receiving member that can be used indoors to practice golf club swings. The force receiving member 150 includes a hand grip portion 152, a truncated shaft 154, and a weight 156 at the lower end of the truncated shaft 154. A collar 174 is secured to the shaft 154 via a set screw 175, and the carabineers 622 are secured about the shaft 154 between the collar 174 and the handle grip portion 152. On another alternative embodiment, a ring (like ring 122 is provided on collar (like collar 174), and the carabineers 622 are secured to the ring. Persons skilled in the art will also recognize that the different force receiving members may be mixed and matched with these and other fastener arrangement to arrive at additional alternative embodiments of the subject invention.

[0038] FIGS. 6-7 show one of the resistance devices 300 by itself. Each resistance device 300 provides resistance in the same manner as an alternative embodiment resistance device 600 described below with reference to FIGS. 8-9. Also, in some respects, including certain aspects of construction, operation, and use, the resistance devices 300 and 600 are comparable to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,607 to Ihli, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,087,001 to Ihli, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0039] Generally speaking, the resistance device 300 includes a housing 392 and a flexible member 620 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 8-9) that is selectively extracted from the housing 392 and retracted into the housing 392. A re-directional bearing 340 is movably mounted on the housing 392, and the flexible member 620 is routed through the re-directional bearing 340. One end of the flexible member 620 is connected to a bead or stop 622, and an opposite end of the flexible member 620 is secured to a sheave 680 (shown in FIGS. 8-9). A rewind spring 690 (shown in FIG. 9) is interconnected between the sheave 680 and the housing 392 to encourage the flexible member 620 to wind onto the sheave 680. A band brake arrangement (shown in FIG. 8) resists removal of the flexible member 820 from the sheave 680. An adjustment knob 330 is movably mounted on the housing 392 and rotatable to adjusted resistance provided by the band brake arrangement. On other embodiments, different types of resistance arrangements may be used in the alternative.

[0040] The housing 392 defines an externally facing periphery, including notches 393 at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00, which matches an internally facing periphery defined by the receptacle 230. In this regard, the receptacle 230 includes a generally C-shaped bracket 232 having an integral leaf spring latch 233 disposed at its lower end. The upper end of the housing 392 is fed into the upper end of the bracket 232, and then the lower end of the housing 392 is pushed past the latch 233 to arrive at the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-2. In other words, the 12:00 notch 393 in the housing 392 is sized and configured to receive the upper end of the bracket 232, and the 6:00 notch 393 in the housing 392 is sized and configured to receive the latch 233.

[0041] The notches 393 at 3:00 and 9:00 are interrupted by respective steel pins 398 that cooperate with the main body of the housing 392 to define strap receiving slots. A strap 308 is selectively inserted through each slot and secured to itself via hook and loop type fasteners. When the strap 308 is removed from the housing 392, the housing may be secured in alternative orientations relative to the receptacles 230. When secured to the housing as shown in FIGS. 6-7, the strap 308 accommodates usage of the resistance device 300 for alternative exercises, as suggested by FIG. 24, for example, which shows a person Q using comparable resistance devices 600 (discussed below).

[0042] FIG. 24 shows a person Q holding a resistance device 600a in his right hand H1, and holding a resistance device 600b in his left hand H2. Also, the two units 600a and 600b are connected to one another at respective attachment members 612. In other words, the carabineer 622 on the left unit 600b is connected to the attachment member 612 on the right unit 600a, and the carabineer 622 on the right unit 600a is connected to the attachment member 612 on the left unit 600b. When so arranged and held in respective hands H1 and H2 of the person Q, as shown in FIG. 24, the units 600a and 600b may be used to perform various upper body exercises.

[0043] FIGS. 8-9 show components of one of the resistance devices 600, which is functionally similar to the resistance devices 300. The resistance device 600 includes a flexible member or resistance cable 620 that is extracted from housing 692 when the extraction force exceeds an adjustable level of resistance, and that is rewound into the housing 692 when tension in the cable 620 falls below the rewind force exerted by the spring 690 within the housing 692.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 8, the cable 620 is wound about a sheave 680, which in turn, is mounted on a rotatable shaft 615 via a conventional one-way clutch bearing 685. A hub 655 is rigidly secured to the shaft 615, and a steel cylindrical cap 656 is rigidly mounted on the hub 655 to define a resistance drum. A stainless steel brake band 666 is secured about a portion of the cap 656 with a Keviar brake strip sandwiched therebetween. The brake band 666 cooperates with the resistance drum to provide resistance to rotation of the shaft 615 in either direction.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 9, the coiled rewind spring 690 is nested within a compartment defined by the sheave 680. An inner end of the spring 690 is anchored to the housing 692 via a peg 608, and an opposite, outer end of the spring 690 is anchored to the sheave 680 via a flange 682. As a result, the spring 690 biases the sheave 680 to rotate in a first rotational direction relative to the shaft 615 and the housing 692. The sheave 680 rotates together with the shaft 615 and relative to the housing 692 in an opposite, second rotational direction in response to extraction of the cable 620. Thereafter, when the cable 620 is released, the rewind spring 690 rotates the sheave 680 relative to the shaft 615 to retract the cable 620 within the housing 692.

[0046] A knob 630 is rotatably mounted on an end of the housing 692, and rotates relative to the housing 692 to adjust the level of resistance associated with the resistance drum. The housing 692 includes a bracket or frame member 616 that is preferably a stamped metal part. The frame member 616 is preferably secured in place between opposing “halves” of the housing 692 by means of internal structure on the housing shells, as well as fasteners that secure the halves to one another. A first rivet or other suitable fastener secures a first end of the brake strip 665 to a first portion of the frame member 616. A second rivet or other suitable fastener secures an opposite, second end of the brake strip 665 to a discrete, second portion of the frame member 616. The second rivet also preferably secures an end of the tension band 666 to the second portion of the frame member 616.

[0047] An opposite end of the tension band 666 is secured to a slide block 676 by means of a separate fastener, which is preferably a screw. The slide block 676 is threaded onto a bolt 677, and the slide block 676 bears against the frame member 616 in a manner that prevents rotation while allowing linear travel of the former relative to the latter. The bolt 677 is rotatably mounted within upper and lower openings in the frame member 616. An upper end of the bolt 677 is keyed to the knob 630, and a lower end of the bolt 677 is rigidly fastened to a nut 678. A thrust bearing is preferably disposed between the knob 630 and the frame member 616 to accommodate relative rotation therebetween. The foregoing elements cooperate to rotatably mount the bolt 677 in a specific position relative to the frame. A lower end of the frame member 616 is configured and arranged to limit downward travel of the slide block 676 along the bolt 677. On an alternative embodiment, a pin or other suitable stop is preferably secured to a lower section of the bolt 677 to function as the stopping means.

[0048] When the knob 630 is rotated in a first direction, tension in the tension band 666 increases, and when the knob 630 is rotated in an opposite, second direction, tension in the tension band 666 decreases. In either case, tension in the brake material 665 remains relatively unaffected, while compression of the brake material 665 against the cap 656 increases or decreases in direct relation to the change in tension in the tension band 666. On a working embodiment of the device 600, the resulting resistance is smooth and predictable through a range of resistance from 2 to 40 pounds in response to less than two full rotations of the knob 630.

[0049] A re-directional bearing assembly 640 is movably mounted on top of the housing 692, and the cable 620 is routed through the re-directional bearing assembly 640 to accommodate extraction of the cable 620 in any direction having an upward component relative to the top of the housing 692. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the re-directional bearing 640 is located at one of six available “corner locations” on the housing 692, and furthermore, that it need not occupy an orthogonal or parallel orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment bolt 677.

[0050] A bead or stop 624 is rigidly secured to an external portion of the cable 620, and the bead 614 is too large to fit through the opening defined by the re-directional bearing assembly 640, thereby preventing the distal end of the cable 620 from becoming lost inside the housing 692. A carabineer clip 622 is connected to an outer distal end of the cable 620 to releasably connect the cable 620 to any of various force receiving members, including a conventional force receiving member, such as the handle shown in FIG. 11 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,087,001, for example.

[0051] FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment base member 200′. As suggested by the common reference numerals, the base member 200′ is similar in many respects to the base member 200 shown in FIGS. 1-2. In fact, the only difference is that the platform 202 is replaced by left and right platforms 204 and 206, respectively, which are interconnected at hinge 208. As a result, the base member 200′ may be folded in half for shipping or storage.

[0052] FIG. 11 shows another alternative embodiment base member 400. As suggested by the common reference numerals, the base member 400 is similar in many respects to the base member 200 shown in FIGS. 1-2. In fact, the only difference is that the platform 202 is replaced by left and right platforms or base members 404 and 406, respectively, which telescope relative to one another. As a result, the base member 400 may be collapsed almost in half for shipping or storage. A snap button or other suitable fastener is preferably interconnected between aligned holes in the base members 404 and 406 to selectively latch them in any one of several available positions relative to one another.

[0053] FIG. 12 shows yet another alternative embodiment base member 500. The base member 500 may be described in terms of a foot strip or platform 502, and receptacles or anchors 530 secured to opposite ends of the platform 502. The platform 502 is preferably an extruded aluminum part that is configured to lie flat on an underlying support surface. Also, the platform 502 is sized and configured to support the feet F of a person P assuming a range of conventional golf stances. An optional traction material 509 is applied to an upwardly facing part of the platform 502. A swing target 509 is secured to an intermediate portion of the platform 502, and indicia 595 are provided on the swing target 590 to allow the person P to practice swinging his club 110 along a particular desired path. On different embodiments, the swing target 590 may be secured to the platform 502, or selectively slidable along the platform 502.

[0054] Left and right tubes 503 are secured to respective left and right ends of the platform 502, preferably using screws. Left and right supports 531 are sized and configured to telescope within respective tubes 503 (in a direction perpendicular to the platform 502 and parallel to the swing target 590). At each end of the base member 500, a spring detent pin 533 or other suitable fastener is preferably interconnected between aligned holes in the support 531 and the tube 503 to selectively latch the support 531 in any one of several available positions relative to the tube 503.

[0055] Each receptacle 530 preferably includes a C-shaped frame member 534 and a somewhat similarly shaped latch member 536 (shown by itself in FIGS. 15-16). The frame member 834 is preferably a flat steel bar that has been formed into the desired configuration, and welded in place onto a support 531. A lower end of the frame member 534 is bifurcated or pronged for reasons discussed below. The latch member 536 is preferably an injection molded plastic part that fits into the frame member 534, and that is preferably secured in place by at least one screw.

[0056] The receptacle 530 is sized and configured to selectively receive and retain the resistance device 300 in the same manner as the receptacles 230 shown in FIGS. 1-2. Accordingly, each latch member 536 has an integrally formed leaf spring latch 538 on a lower end of the latch member 826. On this embodiment, the steel frame member 534 reinforces the plastic latch member 536. The telescoping supports 531 allow the resistance devices 300 to be repositioned forward or backward relative to the person's feet F1 and F2. In FIG. 14, one of the supports 531 is shown in a relatively extend position, and the other support 531 is shown in a relatively retracted position. Also, one of the resistance devices 300 is flipped relative to the other to emphasize the versatility of the mounting arrangement.

[0057] FIG. 17 shows an alternative embodiment exercise apparatus 700 constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The exercise assembly 700 includes a U-shaped base member 720 that is preferably stamped from a sheet of steel. A resistance device 770 is secured in place at a central location on the U-shaped member 720. On opposite sides of the resistance device 770, left and right intermediate portions of the base member 720 define respective left and right foot platforms 722 that are sized and configured to support the left and right feet of the person P assuming a conventional golf stance. Optional left and right stops or flanges 727 extend upward from the base member 720 at the outer ends of respective foot platforms 722. The flanges 727 provide bearing surfaces against which the person P may press the side of his foot F1 or F2, if desired. The flanges 727 are rigidly secured to the base member 720, but may be selectively movable along the base member 720 on an alternative embodiment.

[0058] A pulley guide 711 is mounted on the base member 720, proximate one side of the resistance device 770, to re-route a flexible member 720 emanating from the resistance device 770. A second flexible member 720 emanates from the resistance device 770 proximate the pulley guide 711.

[0059] The resistance device 770 is functionally similar to the isokinetic resistance devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,740 to Loubert et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the resistance devices shown in FIG. 6-9 may be modified, as suggested by Loubert et al., to include a second flexible member, second sheave, second one-way clutch bearing, and second rewind spring, and used in place of the resistance device 770 on the embodiment 700 to create an alternative embodiment. Moreover, two of the Loubert et al. resistance devices may be modified, as suggested by this disclosure, to eliminate a respective flexible member, a respective sheave, a respective one-way clutch bearing, and a respective rewind spring, and used in place of respective resistance devices 600 on the preferred embodiment 100 to create another alternative embodiment. Still other embodiments may be derived by using other types of resistance devices, including simply the coiled spring 690 (without any band brake arrangement).

[0060] The base member 720 has first and second distal end portions 762 that extend from respective ends of the foot platforms 722 to respective distal ends. A left pulley guide 712 is secured in place on the distal end of the left end portion 762, and a right pulley guide 712 is secured in place on the distal end of the right end portion 762. One flexible member 720 is routed from the resistance device 770, about the pulley guide 711, about the nearer pulley guide 712, to a distal end that is secured to a first carabineer 622. The other flexible member 720 is routed from the resistance device 770, about the other pulley guide 712, to a distal end that is secured to another carabineer 622.

[0061] A person uses the exercise assembly 700 in the same manner as the exercise assembly 100 described above. In other words, the carabineers 622 may be secured to a golf club handle or other desired force receiving member. Contrary to the resistance devices 300 and 600, the resistance device 770 provides resistance as a function of how much force is applied to the flexible members 720. As noted above, persons skilled in the art will recognize that additional embodiments may be made by using left and right, single cable versions of the resistance device 770, or a dual cable version of the resistance devices 300 or 600, or different types and/or numbers of resistance devices.

[0062] FIG. 18 shows the person P performing a golf swing exercise according to the principles of the present invention. As in FIG. 1, the person P has assumed a conventional golf stance with a first resistance device 300 secured in place proximate his left foot F1, and a second resistance device 300 secured in place proximate his right foot F2. A flexible member 620 emanates from the first resistance device 300 and is connected to the handle of the golf club 110. Similarly, a flexible member 620 emanates from the second resistance device 300 and is connected to the handle of the golf club 110. With his hands H occupying a conventional grip on the handle of the golf club 110, the person P has moved the golf club 110 in a manner consistent with at least a portion of a conventional golf swing.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 18-21, each resistance device 300 is mounted on an upper end 803 of a respective base member 800. As suggested by the common reference numerals, each resistance device 300 is releasably mounted on a respective base member 800 by means of a respective receptacle 530. Each resulting assembly may be described as an exercise apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

[0064] Each base member 800 is preferably a steel rod that has been formed into a helical shape. A lower end 801 of each base member 800 is preferably pointed to facilitate passage through turf and underlying dirt. As shown in FIG. 21, the upper end 803 of each base member 800 is preferably configured and arranged to bear against and be welded to two separate portions 831 and 832 of a respective C-shaped frame member 534 (which may be augmented for connection to the base member 800). As shown in FIG. 18, each base member 800 is screwed into the ground G (preferably through turf and into underlying dirt). The resistance device 300 is preferably mounted on the base member 800 in a manner that aligns the axis defined by rotation of the re-directional bearing relative to the housing 392 with the axis defined by rotation of the base member 800 relative to the ground G.

[0065] In an alternative application, at least one base member 800 is anchored in a footing, preferably concrete, that extends downward into the ground G. This approach ensures stability of the base members 800, and still allows the person P to adjust relative to the base members 800. Moreover, the resistance devices 300 may be readily removed from the base member 800 to protect them from the elements, theft, and other forms of harm.

[0066] FIG. 22 shows a person R standing on the ground G in proximity to two of the exercise apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 18-21. Instead of performing a golf swing exercise, the person R is performing a more traditional type of upper body exercise. In this regard, otherwise conventional exercise handles 90 are connected to respective left and right carabineers 622. The person R is holding a respective handle 90 in each hand H, and is pulling upward on the handles 90.

[0067] FIG. 23 shows a person P performing a golf swing exercise in much the same manner as the person P shown in FIG. 1. As suggested by the common reference numerals, the person P is using many of the same components, as well. However, the base member 200 is replaced by separate left and right base members 920, and an otherwise conventional toe cup 929 is mounted on each base member 920, preferably by means that accommodates selective rotation of the former relative to the latter (as further discussed below). The toe cups 929 help locate and retain the person's feet relative to the respective base members 920. An advantage of this arrangement is that the person P can adjust his feet F1 and F2 with relatively greater freedom, and the product can be shipped and stored in a relatively smaller amount of space. Persons skilled in the art will also recognize that the toe cups 929 may be rotated relative to the respective base members 920 to place the resistance devices 300 directly in front of the person's respective feet F1 and F2. On a preferred version of this embodiment, such reorientation is at the discretion of the person P, in response to releasing a latch. However, the orientation may be fixed as shown or in another orientation on alternative embodiments.

[0068] Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the subject present invention may be described in terms of methods with reference to the foregoing embodiments. For example, the present invention may be described in terms of a method of performing a golf swing exercise, comprising the steps of assuming a conventional golf stance with a first resistance device secured in place proximate one's left foot, and with a second resistance device secured in place proximate one's right foot; securing a flexible member from the first resistance device to a golf club handle; securing a flexible member from the second resistance device to the golf club handle; and moving the golf club handle in a manner consistent with at least a portion of a conventional golf swing. The assuming step may involve placing a base member on an underlying support surface, and standing on the base member in said conventional golf stance. Alternatively, the assuming step may involve anchoring each said resistance device relative to an underlying support surface, and standing on the support surface in said conventional golf stance. Each said securing step may involve releasably connecting a respective said flexible member to a conventional golf club proximate a lower end of a grip portion of said club. For example, a non-invasive fastener may be releasably connected to said club, and each said flexible member may be releasably connected to the fastener.

[0069] The present invention may also be described in terms of a method of performing a golf swing exercise, comprising the steps of assuming a conventional golf stance with a first resistance cord supported at a location proximate one's left toes, and with a second resistance cord supported at a location proximate one's right toes; securing the first resistance cord to a golf club handle; securing the second resistance device cord to the golf club handle; and moving the golf club handle in a manner consistent with at least a portion of a conventional golf swing.

[0070] Persons skilled in the art will also recognize that various modifications may be made to the foregoing embodiments, and that different sorts of resistance devices and force receiving members may be used in lieu of and/or in addition to those disclosed herein, and that features and uses of all relevant embodiments may be mixed and matched to arrive at more embodiments. In view of the foregoing, the subject invention should be limited only to the extent of the claims set forth below.