Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
W093/0379X PCT~GB92/01514
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A GOLF ~RA~NER
This invention relates to a golf practice or
training device and more particularly to a device to
s assist with improving a golfer's swing.
At present, a number of devices are available
to improve a golfer's swing. Most of these de~ices
are only suitable for use outside and are not
suitable for use within a confined space.
An object of the invention is therefore to
provide an inexpensive mPans of improving a golfer's
swing which enables a golfer to practice hi~ or her
swing within a confined area, for instance, within
the golfer's living room or office.
Further objects and advantages of this
invention will become apparent from the following
description which is given by way of example only.
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According to a first aspect of the invention,
there is provided a golf trainer comprising a shaft,
a handle grip, a weight and a length of shock cord,
the handle grip being fitted at one end of the shaft
where one ~nd of the shock cord is also fitted, the
other end of the shaft having extending therefrom the
free end of the shock cord to ~hich the weight is
attached, characterised in that in use, when the
shafk is swung in a correct golf swing for a
right-handed golfer (for a left-handed golfer, the
swing is the mirror image of the right-handed swing)
and the golfer is viewed from the side the swing
moves in an anticlockwise direction and the weight
starts to extend the shock cord when the weight on
the extended cord is at approximately 8 o'clock and
the weight further extends the shock cord at 6
o'clock, the extension continuing in an arc through
the swing until the weight begins to return to the
end of the shaft at the end of the golf swing.
The shock cord can extend through a flexible
hose which extends into or onto the opposite end of
the shaft. The shock cord can be made of natural or
synthetic rubber. The shaft can engage with the hose -
by a friction fit or be pinched thereto. The end of
the hose and the shock cord are fitted together in a
known fashion such that they are securely fastened
together.
Alternatively, the shock cord can extend
through a shaped insert fitted within a length of
flexible hose or tube which extends onto the opposite
end of the shaft, part of the shaped insert abutting
or being inserted in the opposite end of the shaft to
provide a smooth surface through which the shock cord
extends.
The insert can be a plastics or metal insert in
the shape of a nozzle, the base of which has ribs on
its outer surface to frictionally engage with the
interior
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of the flexible hose, the other end of the shaft contacts the
inner end of the insert.
The shock ~ord can be a length of rubber cord or prefer~bly
a stretchable cord built with a plurality of rubber fibres
encased in a fabric sleeve.
The weight can be a solid synthetic or natural rubber ball
and it is envisaged that any alternative shape of weight may
be used. The ball can ha~e a recess forming a cavity in which
i~ fitted an insert. Within the insert is fitted a tubular
insert which can be held securely in place by a rivet or the
like. The edge of the tubular inser~ forms an anchor for one
end of the shock cord where it is inserted through a washer
before a clip is fitted to the end of the shock cord.
The end of the recess in the weighted ball can have a cap
inserted to finish the connection.
Alternatively said one end of the shock cord can be held in
the tubular insert by forming a knot in the cord and placing
on ei~her side of the knot a washer, the washer at the free
end of the cord being held in place against a pin positioned
through the shock cord.
The other and top end of the shock cord is held in place by
msans of a wa~her on the cord against which a clip fitted to
or near thé end of the shock cord contacts impressions in the
shaft which form a barrier or abutment on which the wa~her
rest~ when in~erted
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within the shaft to thereby prevent the shock cord from
dislodging.
Alternatively the other end of the shock cord i-~ held in
place by forming a knot in the cord with washers on either
side, the free end of the cord having a pin inserted
thexethrough against which one of the washers abuts.
Further aspects of this invention which should be
considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from
the following descriptions which are given by way of example
only.
DESCRIP~ION OF $HE DRAWINGS
Fiqure 1 is a section of an embodiment of the golf trainer
device;
Fi~ure 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in
Figure l in u~e;
Fiqure 3 is a side view of a replacement length of shock
cord;
Fi~ure 4 is a sectional view of the replacement length of
shock cord fitted, in accordance with a preferred aspect, to a
shaft with a grip fitted in place;
Fioure 5 is a sectional view of the shaft shown in Figure 4
showing the attachment of a ball to the end of the shock cord;
and
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Fi~ure 6 is a sectional view of the region indicated by
arrow A in Figure 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI~ENTS
In ~igures l and 2 the golf trainer has a weighted ball 1
to which a shock cord 2 is fitt~d. The ball has a recess or
hollow hole 3 forming a cavity in which is in~erted a hollow
plastics in ert 4. The insert 4 has a tubular insert 5
therein which is held in place by a ri~et 6. The insert 4 is
a frictio~ fit in the recess 3 and a shoulder 17 of the insert
4 fits in a rebate 18 near to one end of the recess 3.
The cord 2 has a washer 19 fitted thereon ad~acent a clip 7
which is attached near to the end 20 of the shock cord. A
button 8 can be attached to the end 20 of the shock cord. The
end 21 of recess 3 in the ball is open. The shock cord 2
extends from one side of the ball through a rubber or plastics
hose l0 which is fitted on or within a metal shaft ll. On the
outside of the plastics hose l0 at the point 22 is at~ached a
rubb~r collar 12 which acts as a cover and improves longe~ity
of the hose. The shaft ll is preferably stepped and is
manufactured in generally the same manner as the shaft of a
golf club and may be cut at one of the step~ 13 to create a
friction fit with the hose which has an internal diameter
slightly~~éss than the diameter of the shaft at 13. Over the
shaft is fitted a golf grip 14.
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The shock cord 2 is attached to the shaft ll a~ the top
end 23 of the golf trainer by means of a clip 7 which is
at~ached to or near to the end of the shock cord. Cr~mps in
the shaft ll form a barrier 15 to a washer 16 which is placed
on the cord 2 before the clip 7 is fitted. The washer 16 when
placed within the shaft ll re~ts on the inward compressions/
barriers and prevents the shock cord from being dislodged.
The weighted ball can be a natural or synthetic rubber or
plastics ball. The trainer de~ice when u~ed in the same
manner as a golfer would ordinarily use a golf club results in ~;
the ball causing the shock cord to extend. An illustration of
the golf trainer in use with the shock cord extended is
illustrated in figure 2. Trials have shown that use of the
device gi~es a golfer more control of his/her swing. The life
of the device is greatly enhanced if the shock cord is
regularly lubricated with a rubber silicone spray or ~y using
a dry lubrication stick.
In the se~ond construction sho~n in Figures 3 to 6 similar
parts of the golf trainer to those shown in Figures 1 and 2
are referenced by the same numerals. In this construction the
golf trainer has a shaft ll with a golf grip 14. The shaft ll
has fitted in the end 24 a shaped insert or nozzle 25. The
insert iS'and the end 24 are inside a length of flexible hosQ
26. The insert 25 has a bore 27 which iR smooth to minimise
friction
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be~ween a length of shock cord 2 8 which extends through the
bora 27. The insert can have a chromed surface and teeth on
its periphery where it contacts the hose 26 to Lmprove
-frictional contact between them.
The golf trainer has a ball 1 of sLmilar construction to
that shown in Figure 1 with a tubular insert 5. The edge of
the insert forms a shoulder against which an end 29 of a
length of shock cord 30 which is fitted in the manner
described below.
Each end of the shock cord 30 has a knot formed therein.
On either side of each knot 31 and 3ll is positioned a washer
32, 33. In use the washers 33 are at the ends of the cord 30
and are locked in position by pins 34. The face 35 of the
washers 32 abut respectively the insert 5 and in the shaft 11
crimped regions 15 formed in the surface of the shaft 11.
For maxLmum efficiency and durability the shock cord 30
should be regularly lubricated with a dry lube stick or with a
rubber silicone spray. The cord should be stretched fully
when lubricant is applied.
If a cord requires replacement through wear the plastic
plugs 36 from the butt end of the shaft ll and the end of the
ball 1 are removed. The ~ord 30 is stretched slightly and
cut. The cut ends of the cord are then remo~ed. A new
replacement cord 30 a~ ~hown in Figure 3 can then be in~erted.
The knots, washers, pins and ball are assembled in the same
configuration as 1n
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the sld cord. After a knot 31 has been fit~ed on the end as
is shown in Figure 3. The cord 30 is fed through the shaft ll
from the grip end. The washer 32 stops in the shaft ll where
the shaft has been deformed. The shaft ll is then placed in a
vice 37 and the cord 30 extended fully and clamped by clamp 38
as is shown in Figure S. The ball 1 is then slid over the
oord and both wa~hers 32, 33 are placed in position and the
pin 34 inserted. The knot 3ll is then tied between the
washers 32, 3~ and the knot 3ll is slid into position against
the pi~ned washer 33. The washer 33 is pressed hard up to the
pin and the washer 32 hard up to the ball l. The end 29 of
the cord 30 is held and the clamp 38 released. This allows
the cord 30 to slide into the ball l and shaft ll. The plugs
36 are then replaced in the grip and ball.
In an alternative construction not shown the end of the
insert 25 is dLmensioned to slidingly engage part way within
the bore in the insert 5.
The device can be used indoors for practice without
requiring the headroom normally required when swinging a golf
club. It therefore offers ad~antages to golfers wishing to
practice or test their swings.
A~ter trials of the device a user will feel the beginnings
of a bette~ swing and by following the instructions important
muscle memory will develop which is required for a good golf
swing.
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To accomplish the correct feeling of the device
it should be swung (by a right-handed golfer) so that
the ball will start to extend from the end of the
shaft at approximately 8 o'clock and further extend
at 6 o'clock and carry on extending in a wide arc
through the swing, before coming back into the end of
the device, resulting in a high finish. The swing
for a left-handed golfer will be the mirror image of
the right-handed swing.
The de~ice will develop a fluent swing. The
four main swing faults that will show up if the
device is not swung properly are:
FAULT NO. 1
The ball wobbles around (jerky) at the top of
backswing
The causes - too quick on the backswing; or
- lack of wrist break (lever~ during
the swing.
CORRECTION
The backswing should have a ~moother action and
control is essential. This can be achieved by making
sure the wrists continue to break until completion of
the backswing.
FAULT NO. 2
The ball hits the ground on downswing, which is
a loss of power.
The causes - hitting from top;
~~~ - releasing too early; or
- slicing - topping.
CORR~CTION
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W093/0379g PCT/GB92/01514
21157~i8
Hold the wrîst break created on the backswing until the
hands come back to the ideal lever position, which puts the
shaft parallel to the ground and ~arget line. In this
- position the ball is still attached and will only extend
when the lever is released.
FA~L~ NO. 3
.
The ball is still attached to the device through Lmpact.
The causes - lack of lever;
- lack of release; or
- push or block shot.
CORRECTION
Once in the ideal lever position allow release to happen
through the address posi~ion. Do not hold ideal lever
position through Lmpact.
FAULT NO. 4
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The ball touches the players back on follow through.
The causes - keeping head down too long;
- lack of leg action on the follow
through; or
- collapse of the ~rms at the finish
of the swing.
CORRECTION
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After impact let the head ~urn as the body rotates and
allows the back leg to move in a way that the back knee
finishes pointing at the target.
Thus by this invention there is provided a golf trainer
which assis~s a golfer in perfecting his or her swing.
A particular example of the in~ention ha~ been described
and it is envisaged that impro~ements and modifications can
take place without departing from the scope and spirit of the
appended claims.
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