Golf swing trainer

• US 20070155525A1
• Filed: 01/03/2007
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BU Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Michael Davenport, Roger Stewart
• Inventors: Stewart, Roger, Davenport, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,618,328 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/256
• 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 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0633 without electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/24 Ice hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• 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 69/3632 Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3635 with sound-emitting source
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence

Abstract

A practice device that can be used with or without a ball to help further develop the feel and muscle memory of a proper swing. A swing training device includes a handle, a shaft and a weight slidably mounted along the shaft. During the swinging of the club, the weight slides from an end near the user'"'"'s hands to a distal end away from the user. When the weight reaches the distal end, the weight contacts a stop creating an audible “snap,” giving the user both tactile and audible feedback to the success of the swing. The weight preferably includes a friction adjustment device to control the amount of static and/or dynamic friction between the sliding weight and the shaft. The shaft preferably has a constant cross-sectional area or diameter to provide a set amount of friction during the travel of the weight along the shaft.

Claims

1. A swing training device comprising:

a shaft having an upper end and a lower end;

a user gripping portion provided at said upper end of said shaft;

a weight member slidably mounted on said shaft;

an upper stop on said shaft for preventing said weight from sliding on said shaft past said upper end;

a lower stop on said shaft for preventing said weight from sliding on said shaft past said lower end; and

a friction adjustment member provide on said weight member for altering the amount of dynamic friction between said shaft and said weight member.

2. The swing training device of claim 1, wherein said shaft has a substantially constant cross section along its length.

3. The swing training device of claim 1, wherein said shaft is cylindrical and has a substantially constant cross diameter along its length between said upper stop and said lower stop.

4. The swing training device of claim 1, wherein said shaft is cylindrical and has a substantially constant cross diameter along a substantial portion of its length between said upper stop and said lower stop.

5. The swing training device of claim 1, wherein said shaft is cylindrical and has a substantially constant cross diameter along a substantial portion of its length between said upper stop and said lower stop, and where said shaft has a larger diameter in said gripping area than the shaft diameter between said upper and lower stops.

6. The swing training device of claim 1, wherein friction adjustment member includes a threaded compression member selectively compressing at least one rubber grommet about said shaft.

7. The swing training device of claim 1, wherein said weight member comprises an hollow housing, and said frictional adjustment member includes at least one elastomeric member variably compressed against said shaft to vary the amount of dynamic friction between said weight member and said shaft.

8. The swing training device of claim 7, wherein said at least one elastomeric member is contained within said hollow housing.

9. The swing training device of claim 7, wherein said at least one elastomeric member is a rubber grommet.

10. The swing training device of claim 7, wherein said at least one elastomeric member is a silicone grommet.

11. The swing training device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable friction member comprises at least one selectively, variably tensioned bearing pressing against said shaft.

12. The swing training device of claim 11, wherein a threaded member adjust the tension of said bearing against said shaft.

13. The swing training device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable friction member comprises a plurality of elastomeric members selectively compressed against each other.

14. A method of adjusting a swing training device comprising:

providing a shaft having an upper end and a lower end;

providing a user gripping on an said upper end of said shaft;

providing a weight member slidably mounted on said shaft;

providing an upper stop on said shaft for preventing said weight from sliding on said shaft past said upper end;

providing a lower stop on said shaft for preventing said weight from sliding on said shaft past said lower end;

providing a friction adjustment member provide on said weight member for altering the amount of dynamic friction between said shaft and said weight member; and

selectively adjusting the pressure of sad friction adjustment member on said shaft to vary the amount of dynamic friction between said weight member and said shaft.