Golf Swing Exerciser

• US 20070123399A1
• Filed: 11/28/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kellion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kellion Corporation
• Inventors: Kim, Yong
• Granted Patent: US 7,621,859 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/109
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 15/00 Clubs for gymnastics or the like , e.g. for swinging exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 15/005 with a weight movable along the longitudinal axis of the club due to centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0633 without electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/04 Movable ballast means A63B15/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3623 for driving A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3635 with sound-emitting source

Abstract

Components of a golf exerciser are contained within a tube that can be swung in a simulated golf swing independently of a golf club. Within the tube is an extension spring connected to a weight so that centrifugal force developed during swinging the tube can move the weight toward a distal end of the tube. There, a shock absorber is positioned for the weight to impact against whenever sufficient arcuate tube velocity is achieved. The shock absorber includes a deformable elastomer that cushions and stops the distal movement of the weight and also makes a sound indicating that a swing of sufficient velocity has been achieved.

Claims

1. A golf swing exerciser comprising:

a hollow tube independent of a golf club and sized to be swung in an arc simulating a swing of a golf club;

an anchorage arranged in a handle end of the tube;

an extension spring arranged within the tube and connected to the anchorage, the extension spring extending toward a distal end of the tube and being movable to extend and retract within the tube;

a weight within the tube connected to a distal end of the spring;

the weight having a mass related to a force and length of the extension spring so that the weight can move toward the distal end of the tube in response to centrifugal force and the spring can move the weight toward the handle end of the tube when the weight is not subject to the centrifugal force;

a shock absorber arranged within the tube at a distal end of the tube, the shock absorber including a deformable elastomer; and

the weight and the shock absorber being disposed within the tube so that the weight can impact the shock absorber at a distal end of travel of the weight and can deform the elastomer as the shock absorber brings distal movement of the weight to a stop.

2. The exerciser of claim 1 wherein the weight and the shock absorber are configured to produce an audible sound when the weight impacts the shock absorber.

3. The exerciser of claim 1 wherein the shock absorber includes a distal end plug, the deformable elastomer, and a screw and washer securing the deformable elastomer to the end plug.

4. The exerciser of claim 3 wherein a distal end of the weight is configured to engage the washer.

5. The exerciser of claim 1 wherein the weight has a helically grooved stem that is screwed into distal end convolutions of the extension spring in an interference fit that connects the weight to the spring.

6. The exerciser of claim 1 wherein a lubricant is disposed inside the tube to lubricate movement of the spring and the weight.

7. The exerciser of claim 1 wherein the shock absorber includes a distal end plug secured to the tube by an assembly that extends through the plug and through diagonally opposite regions of a wall of the tube.

8. A golf swing exerciser comprising:

a hollow tube having a distal end stop secured within the distal end of the tube;

a shock absorber supported by the distal end stop;

an extension spring arranged to extend and retract within the tube, the extension spring being secured to an anchorage at a handle end of the tube;

a weight secured to a distal end of the spring within the tube, the weight having a mass relating to a force and length of the spring so that when the tube is swung in a simulated golf swing independently of any golf club, centrifugal force causes the weight to extend the spring and move toward the distal end of the tube; and

the weight being arranged to impact the shock absorber, which then brings distal movement of the weight to a cushioned stop.

9. The exerciser of claim 8 wherein an audible sound occurs when the weight impacts the shock absorber.

10. The exerciser of claim 8 wherein the shock absorber includes a deformable elastomer.

11. The exerciser of claim 8 wherein the end stop is secured to a wall of the tube

12. The exerciser of claim 8 wherein the weight has a helically grooved stem that is screwed into distal end convolutions of the extension spring in an interference fit that connects the weight to the spring

13. The exerciser of claim 8 wherein a lubricant is disposed inside the tube to lubricate movement of the spring and the weight.

14. A method of improving a golf club swing, the method using a hollow tube having an extension spring supporting a movable weight within the tube, the method comprising:

dimensioning a mass of the weight, a length of the spring, and a force of the spring so that swinging the tube independently of a golf club in a simulated golf club swing effectively accelerates the weight to move against the spring force toward a distal end of the tube where the weight provides increased resistance to acceleration of the distal end of the tube; and

arranging a shock absorber at the distal end of the tube so that the shock absorber cushions and stops the movement of the weight toward the distal end of the tube while making a sound as the weight engages the shock absorber.

15. The method of claim 14 including lubricating the inside of the tube to facilitate movement of the spring and the weight within the tube.

16. The method of claim 14 making the total weight of the tube, the spring, and the weight exceed the total weight of a golf club.

17. A golf swing exerciser comprising:

a hollow tube having a length approximating a length of a golf club shaft;

a distal end stop anchored in a distal end region of the tube;

the distal end stop including a shock absorber within the tube;

the shock absorber including a deformable elastomer;

an extension spring secured to a handle end anchorage within the tube;

a weight secured to a distal end of the spring, the weight having a mass related to a length of the spring and a force of the spring so that when the tube is swung in an arc simulating a golf club swing, centrifugal force applied to the weight overcomes the force of the spring and moves the weight toward the distal end of the tube;

a distal end of the weight being configured to impact the shock absorber so that the deformable elastomer cushions and stops movement of the weight toward the distal end of the tube; and

the weight and the shock absorber being configured so that impact of the weight against the shock absorber makes an audible sound.

18. The exerciser of claim 17 wherein a lubricant disposed in the tube facilitates movement of the spring and weight within the tube.

19. The exerciser of claim 17 wherein the exerciser is about twice as heavy as a golf club.

20. The exerciser of claim 17 wherein the weight has a helically grooved stem threadably received within distal convolutions of the extension spring for an interference fit retaining the weight on the spring.

21. The exerciser of claim 17 wherein the distal end stop anchorage includes a plug secured to a wall of the tube