Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LIGHT EMITTING GOLF SWING TRAINING DEVICE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a golf swing
training device, and more specifically to a light emitting golf
swing training device.
Background Art
Prior art devices have been disclosed to assist a
golfer in improving the yolfer's swing by providing visual
assistance to trace and thereby examine his/her swing, to
minimize or eliminate technique problems, such as hooking or
slicing of the ball.
One such device, U.S. Patent No. 3,070,373 issued to
Donald K. Mathews et al, discloses an attachment to the club
shaft. The attachment comprises a light source for projecting
a collimated pencil beam of light downwardly onto the ground
just ahead of the club and between the golfer and golf ball so
that a visually perceived trace of club travel is given so that
the golfer and/or instructor are informed of the golfer's
swing. This device however, suffers from various drawbacks,
such as aesthetics (due to the fact that the device is attached
to the shaft), transportation difficulties (due to the fact
that the device is powered by a large battery pack which rests
on the ground near the golfer), etc.
The device disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,953,034
issued to Rodney Nelson discloses a laser beam golf club
training device which has a laser beam source attached to or
mounted within the club shaft. The laser beam is reflected by
a mirror attached to the club head to produce a fan of light to
indicate the club head path. It is believed that the pos-
sibility of breakage of the convex mirror from which the laser
beam must be reflected is a potential drawback to this device.
The device disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,456,257
issued to Sonnie Perkins, discloses a golf swing training
device which has a light source attached to the club shaft
which emits two light beams lengthwise of the shaft to
intersect the ground. The light source is wired to a battery
pack which is clipped onto the golfer. The attachment of the
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light source to the shaft and the requirement that the golfer
be wired to the device, thereby decreasing flexibility and
increasing awkwardness, are believed to be potential disad-
vantages to this device.
In the training device disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
2,158,211 issued to Matthew Aitken, the club head contains a
light source and a pivoted battery support. The device is
designed to permit a golfer to determine whether the golf club
swing speed is proper. The two-piece shaft is enclosed at the
joint by a flexible spring. When the club is swung at the
correct speed, due to centrifugal force, the battery moves into
engagement with the electrical contact and illuminates the
electric bulb. Further, the shaft sections pivot with respect
to one another due to angular acceleration imparted to the club
by the golfer. This device also suffers from poor aesthetics
and is believed to be much more complex than the instant
invention.
U.S. Patent No. 3,070,373 issued to Mathews et al.
discloses a visual swing indicator which is attached to the
shaft of a standard golf club near the club head and comprises
a light source projecting a narrow or collimated beam of light
downwardly from the club to trace the light beam on the ground
to show the movement of the club head.
Other golf training devices include generally those
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,677,553 issued to Eric Moore and
U.S. Patent No. 3,820,~95 issued to David Taylor, which
disclose golf club heads with lights indicating a golfer's
swing, the latter further disclosing a battery for the light
mounted within the golf club shaft.
The use of ultraviolet light and luminescent strips
on a golf club head or chemical light on a golf club head are
disclosed in ~.S. Patent No. 3,649,028 issued to Eugene
Worrell.
Oblects of the Invention
It is a general objèct of this invention to provide a
golf training device enabling a golfer to visualize the golf
club path to correct deficiencies in the golfer's swlng.
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It is also an object of the invention to provide a
golf swing training device having a light beam source project-
ing downwardly onto the ground just ahead of the club and
between the golfer and golf ball so that a visually perceived
trace of the club path is permitted.
It is yet a further object of the invention to
provide a golf swing training device having a switch-activated
light source powered by a battery, all being contained within
the club head.
It is also a further object of the invention to
provide a golf swing training device which is low in cost,
simple in construction and easily transportable.
It is yet still a further object of the invention to
provide a golf swing training device which is aesthetically
pleasing and simulates the appearance of an actual golf club.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a
golf swing training device with multiple light sources to
assist in training a golfer.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide
a golf swing training device having one light source in the
head and a second light source in the club grip to assist in
training a golfer.
SummarY of the Invention
These and other objects of this invention are
achieved by providing a golf swing training device which
permits a golfer to examine and critique his/her golf club
swing and its deviations from the desired swing.
The device comprises a shaft, a grip and a head
simulating the appearance of a conventional golf club. The
shaft is fore-shortened so that when the device is swung to
simulate the driving of a golf ball, the head is spaced
slightly off of the surface upon which the person using the
device is standing.
The head comprises a hollow body which contains a
self-contained electrical power source means, a first light
generating means for projecting a first beam of light out of
the head and switch means for causing the light generating
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means to produce the beam of light from the electrical power
source means. The first light generating means is oriented so
that the beam of light is projected out of the head toward the
surface and slightly forward of the head, whereupon when the
person swings the club, the person can freely see the beam of
light projected in a path across the surface. This enables the
golfer to adjust its swing to a desired path.
In a second and more preferred embodiment, the device
is characterized by a first light generating means in the head
for directing a beam of light toward the surface on which the
user of the device is standing, and a second light generating
means for producing a second beam of light in a direction
opposite the head.
In the most preferred embodiment, a second light
generating means is contained in the grip of the device to
produce a second light beam out of the grip in a direction
coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shaft, so that the
person can freely see the second light beam which produces a
circle of light when the person swings the golf club training
device.
Description of the Drawings
Other objects and many attendant features of this
invention will become readily appreciated as the same becomes
better understood by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in connection with the accompanying
drawings wherein:
Fig. l is a side view of a golfer holding the golf
swing trainer of the above invention;
Fig. 2 is a top view of a golfer holding the golf
swing trainer of the above invention while utilizing the swing
guide marker;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view, of one
portion of the head of the golf training device of the present
invention;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along
lines 4-4 of Fig. 2:
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Fig. 5 is a side view of a golfer holding the
improved golf swing trainer of the above invention; and
Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the improved
golf swing trainer grip in the region 6 of Fig. 5.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring now to the various figures of the drawing
wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts there is
shown at 20 in Fig. 1 a golf training device constructed in
accordance with this invention and being used by a golfer 22 to
practice his swing.
The golf training device 20 basically comprises
elongated shaft 24 having a conventional grip 26 at its upper
end and a head 28 located at its lower end. The head 28 will be
described in considerable detail later. Suffice for now to
state that it includes means for projecting a beam of light 30
out of the bottom thereof and slightly forward of the front
face of the club (to be described later). In use, the golfer
swings the club in a conventional manner over the ground or
some other surface 32 so that the golfer can see the path of
the first light beam produced by the club head across the
ground. This enables the golfer to "groove" his/her swing.
In accordance with a first preferred embodiment of
the invention an indictor strip 200 is arranged to be disposed
on the ground to provide a club-head trajectory line. That
strip can take many forms, such as a strip of plastic. For
indoor use, the strip may be arranged to be fixedly secured in
place on to the floor or carpetin~ via the use of VELCRO or
some other material, e.g. double sided tape, etc. to prevent it
from slipping. Thus, the guide strip 200 provides the golfer
with a guide by which he/she may observe and provide the path
of the light beam projecting from the club head to the desired
path, (as established by the strip) as he/she swings the club
in a conventional manner.
In accordance with a preferred aspect of this inven-
tion, the golf shaft 24 is foreshortened by approximately eight
inches from the standard shaft length to expedite the use of
the device. In the preferred embodiment, the shaft has a
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length of approximately 34 inches (86.36 cm). In this
connection, the shortened shaft permits the first light beam 30
exiting from the club head 28 (which will be described later in
detail) to be readily seen by the user 22 as he/she practices
his/her swing. Moreover, golfers may want to practice their
golf swing in areas which are too confined for use of a full-
length club. Thus, the foreshortened shaft 24 also serves the
advantage of minimizing the possibility of damage to furniture
or other articles in the areas surrounding the area where the
device is used for practice.
The shaft 24 is composed of any suitable rigid,
somewhat resilient material. However, in the preferred embodi-
ment the shaft is constructed from a light weight aluminum or
steel. The grip 26, which is located at the top of the shaft,
is fixedly secured thereto in any conventional manner, e.g.,
adhesive. The grip 26 is preferably comprised of any suitable
material to enable the golfer to maintain a firm, comfortable
grip on the device. Thus, any conventional grip ~aterial can
be used.
Before discussing the construction of the club head
28 it should be noted that in the embodiments shown herein the
- head is in the form of a typical "wood" type head. Such a
construction is preferred inasmuch such a head provides the
most interior space tas compared to a "iron" head) for the
components producing the light beam 30. However, it is
contemplated that other style heads can be utilized in lieu of
the wood-style head shown and described herein.
Turning now to Figs. 3 and 4, the details of the head
~ 28 will now be considered.
The club head 28 basically comprises two sections 40
and 42. The sections are preferably molded of a high impact
plastic and each is hollow. ~he two sections are assembled
together via screws 44 to create a hollow interior cavity 46
for the electrical components of the device. The section 40
constitutes the front section of the head 28, while the section
42 constitutes the club head rear section. The front section 40
and the rear section 42 each include a neck portion 48
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projecting upwardly therefrom. The neck portions when joined
together form a hollow ~ore 50 into which the lower end 52 of
the shaft 24 is secured, via at least one screw 54. In
addition, an adhesive (not shown) may be used to aid in the
securement of the shaft to the club head neck.
When the two sections 40 and 42 are secured together
they form the heretofore identified club head 28. As can be
seen in Fig. 4, that club head includes a front wall portion
56, a top wall portion 58, a bottom wall portion 60, and a rear
wall portion 62. The front wall portion 56 has the outer
surface appearance of a conventicnal ball impacting sur~ace of
a club. To that end it includes parallel grooves in its
surface.
The means for producing the first light beam 30
basically constitutes a lamp assembly 64, an on/off switch
assembly 66, and a power source 68. The lamp assembly 64 is
mounted within a tubular well 70 which projects upward at an
acute angle from the bottom surface of the bottom wall 60 of
. the club head 28. The well is open at its bottom to form the
outlet through which the light beam 30 projects.
The lamp assembly 64 basically comprises a cylindri-
cal housing 72 in which is located a conventional lamp or bulb
74. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the bulb is
preferably a one watt krypton bulb. Preferably, the lamp
utilized produces a diffuse beam of light to form a cone of
light which is more easily perceived. However, it should be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other types
of beams may be produced, e.g., collimated, etc., by substitu-
tion of the bulb for another type. Disposed about the front of
the bulb is a conical reflector element 76. The reflector
element is held in place in the front portion of the lamp
assembly housing 72. A transparent lens 78 is disposed
immediately adjacent the bulb 74 and the reflector 76 within
the lamp assembly housing front (lower) end. Thus, when the
lamp assembly 64 is disposed within the well, the lamp faces
downward so that its light passes through the lens out the
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WO9l/lQ4X4 PCT/US91/0020X
opening at the bottom of the well to be directed downwardly and
forwardly of the front surface S6 of the club head.
The lamp assembly 64 may be held in place either by a
fictional fit or by some other releasable securement means (not
shown) so that the assembly can be removed, if desired, for
servicing or replacing. A conventional pair of wires 80, extend
from the lamp assembly. These wires terminate in one portion 82
of a connector 83. The other portion 84 of the connector is
connected to other wires 86 which are connected in series with
the switch assembly 66 and the power source 68, as is conven-
tional.
The switch assembly 66 basically comprises a switch
body 88 in which the switch components are mounted. The
actuator of the switch is denoted by the reference numeral 90
and includes at its free end an enlarged head or push button
92. That head or push bottom extends through an opening 94 in
the club head adjacent the neck portion 48. The switch 66 is
fixedly mounted within the club head cavity 46 via a mounting
wall 96 which is formed integrally with the front head section
40. The switch assembly includes a threaded neck 98 which
extends through a hole 100 in the mounting wall 96, a lock
washer 102, and lock nut 105 are provided on the threaded neck
98 of the switch to secure it to the wall 96.
The power source 66 is best seen in Fig. 4 and
basically comprises a conventional battery, such as a "C-typel'
1.5 volt cell. The battery or cell 104 is disposed within a
carrier or holder 106.
-The holder is fixedly secured via an adhesive layer
108 to the inner surface 110 of the bottom wall 60 of the club
head. The battery holder 106 includes a pair of terminals ~not
shown) to which the heretofore identified wires are connected
so that the battery is connected in series with the switch 66
and lamp 74. Thus, one of the terminals is arranged to be
engaged by the anode of the battery 104 when the battery is
located within the holder 106 while the other terminal is
arranged to be engaged by the cathode of the battery.
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WO91/104g4 PCT/US91/00208
The switch 66 is arranged such that when its push
button 92 is depressed it closes, whereupon electric current is
provided to the lamp 74 to energize it and thereby produce the
downwardly and forwardly extending first light beam 30. After
use, the push button 90 may again be depressed, whereby the
switch opens so that the bulb is no longer illuminated, thereby
conserving battery power.
As should be appreciated from the foregoing, the
training-device of the subject invention is simple in construc-
tion, can be manufactured at a relatively low cost, can be used
either indoors or outdoors in relatively confined areas, yet
provides an excellent method of enabling a golfer to "groove
his/her swing" by watching the path of the first moving beam of
light 30 across the ground or the marker indicia 200.
The club head of the present invention is aestheti-
cally pleasing in that it resembles a conventional head, yet,
contains the light source, power source and switch, so that
none is readily visible. This feature further contributes to
the aesthetically pleasing appearance of the device. Moreover,
the fact that all the components are contained with the club
head renders it readily transportable, easy to use, and less
likely that the components are damaged during storage and/or
transport.
By virtue of the fact that the club head is formed in
two sections which are releasably secured together via the
screws 44, easy access to the interior of the head is provided
for servicing or replacement of any of the components. Thus,
for example if the lamp assembly malfunctions, all that is
necessary for repair is to disconnect the connector sections 82
and 84, remove the lamp assembly 64 from the well 70 and
replace it with another lamp assembly or with the old lamp
assembly having a new bulb in it. Replacement of the battery is
easily effected by merely snapping it out of its holder. The
switch 90 can be readily replaced by unfastening the locking
nut and removing the switch from the mounting wall 98.
Shown at 120 in Fig. 5, is the second and more
preferred embodiment of the golf swing training device. The
. ~
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WO9l/10484 PCT/US91/0020R
device 120 is similar to the previously described golf swing
device 20, and to that end, the common components of each
device will be provided with the same reference numbers in the
interests of brevity.
The device 120 comprises the heretofore identified
club head 28 and shaft 24, with the club grip 26 additionally
comprising a second light generating source 140 which pro~ects
a collimated beam of light 130 out of the grip 26, coincident
with the longitudinal axis of the shaft 24. As shown more
clearly in Fig. 6, the second light generating source 140, is
preferably of a conventional design, and may comprise, for
example, a typical miniaturized flashlight.
As seen more clearly in Fig. 6, the second light
generating source 140 is preferably frictionally secured in the
tube or channel 132 of the club shaft 24, and can be removed to
replace any of its components, such as the battery 134, light
bulb 136, reflective crown element 138, etc. The second light
source 140 may also be secured to the shaft 24 in other ways,
and may be secured to protrude out of the channel 132, as
desired. In order to aid in repair, and activation (if
necessary), it is preferable that the light source 140 be
removable whereupon it may be activated by depressing a switch
(not shown) to turn the power off/on. Other typical flash-
lights which may be utilized with the present invention, permit
the light source to be activated by depressing and turning the
crown 138 of the light source 140, so that the terminals (not
shown) contact the battery 134 providing a power source,
thereby eliminating the necessity of removing the light source
140 from the channel 132 each time the device is to be ac-
tivated/deactivated.
In the second preferred embodiment, the second light
beam 130 is concentrated or collimated, to produce a full
circle of light as the club is swung in a conventional fashion
and projects coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shaft
24. This full circle of light in combination with the visual
feedback simultaneously produced by the light beam 30 in the
club head 28, provides the golfer 22 with greater visual
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feedback on his or her swing, as compared to using the first
embodiment of this invention, in which the light source is
provided only in the head 28. Since the second light beam 130
is activated independently of the first light beam 30, the
golfer may choose to utilize both light sources simultaneously,
or either one alone, depending upon the circumstances of use.
Without further elaboration the foregoing will so
fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying
current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use
under various conditions of service.
