Pivot trainer for golfers

• US 5,092,601 A
• Filed: 04/09/1991
• Issued: 03/03/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Golf Research Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Golf Research Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Rilling, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US07/682,569
• Time in Patent Office: 329 Days
• Field of Search: 273/183 B, 273/186 R, 273/186 A, 273/26 C, 273/29 A, 340/573, 340/574, 340/575, 340/669, 200/61.45
• US Class Current: 473/215
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence

Abstract

A pivot trainer useful in learning a proper golf swing pivot comprises an electronic circuit having a unique transducer. The pivot trainer is designed to be worn by the golfer in proximity to his hips, because the pivot trainer monitors effective hip movement. The transducer comprises an electrically conducting movable element. The transducer translates about the electrically conducting movable element, which is held stationary within the transducer under the influence of inertial forces generated by golfer hip rotation. If the hips are properly rotated, and the golfer pivots properly, a variable element contacts a movable element, completing the circuit, causing a feedback signal to issue therefrom. The variable element can be positioned in a plurality of positions within the transducer, thus changing the amount of inertia needed to complete the circuit. This allows the golfer to progress from his currently employed swing to a more effective golf swing.

Claims

1. A pivot trainer useful in learning a proper golf swing pivot comprising:

an electronic circuit having a transducer and signaling means;

the transducer comprising a housing having a bore;

a first terminal, an electrically conducting force imparting element, an electrically conducting movable element, a force imparting element, a base, a second terminal, and an electrically conducting variable element being disposed within the bore;

the first terminal being disposed on one end of the bore;

the electrically conducting force imparting element contacting the first terminal so as to form an electrical connection therebetween;

the electrically conducting movable element being disposed next to, and in contact with the electrically conducting force imparting element so as to form an electrical connection therebetween;

the force imparting element being disposed between the electrically conducting movable element and the base;

the second terminal being disposed in proximity to the base;

an aperture being disposed about the base and the second terminal;

the aperture being of sufficient size to accept the variable element;

the electrically conducting movable element, and the electrically conducting variable element being disposed within the bore so that the variable element may contact the movable element, thus completing the electronic circuit; and

the signaling means being capable of providing feedback to a golfer regarding the correctness of his golf swing pivot while executing a golf club swing.

2. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 1 wherein the elements of the pivot trainer are disposed within a container;

and the container having attaching means capable of attaching the container in proximity to the golfer'"'"'s waist.

3. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 1 wherein the signaling means comprises an audio speaker.

4. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 1 wherein the force imparting element and the electrically conducting force imparting element comprise springs.

5. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 1 wherein the electrically conducting variable element is capable of translation within the bore so as to alter the distance the movable element must travel, with respect to the housing, to contact the variable element to complete the electronic circuit, and to vary the magnitude of inertia needed to permit the variable element to translate into contact with the movable element.

6. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 1 wherein the variable element comprises a screw.

7. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 1 wherein the force imparting element comprises a spring.

8. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 1 wherein the movable element comprises a ball bearing.

9. A pivot trainer for monitoring the pivotal movement of a golfer'"'"'s hips while executing a golf swing comprising:

a transducer including means for mounting same at the waist of a golfer and adapted to be actuated upon pivotal movement of the golfer'"'"'s hips during a golf swing;

signaling means responsive to actuation of the transducer for providing feedback to the golfer regarding the correctness of his golf swing pivot;

said transducer comprising a first electrical contact, a second extendible and retractable electrical contact movable between a rest position spaced from the first electrical contact, and a second position in engagement with the first electrical contact in response to inertia developed during a golf swing, and said signaling means including an electronic circuit energizable upon engagement of the first and second electrical contacts.

10. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 9 which includes an electronic circuit incorporating the transducer, the transducer comprising an element movable in response to inertia for actuating the circuit.

11. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 9 wherein the elements of the pivot trainer are disposed within a container;

and the container having attaching means capable of attaching the container in proximity to the golfer'"'"'s waist.

12. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 9 wherein the signaling means comprises an audio speaker.

13. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 9 wherein the second electrical contact is movable, and the first electrical contact is capable of translation within the transducer so as to alter the distance the second electrical contact must travel to engage the first electrical contact, and to vary the magnitude of the inertia developed during a golf swing needed to permit the second electrical contact to engage the first electrical contact.

14. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 9 wherein the transducer contains means for prohibiting the first electrical contact from engaging the second electrical contact when an improper force, such as inertia generated by a backswing, is applied to the second electrical contact.

15. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 14 wherein the means for prohibiting the first electrical contact from engaging the second electrical contact when an improper force, such as inertia generated by a backswing, is applied to the second electrical contact comprises a spring.

16. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 9 wherein the second electrical contact comprises a screw.

17. A pivot trainer as defined in claim 9 wherein the first electrical contact comprises a ball bearing.