Audible/tactile feedback swing training device

• US 5,174,577 A
• Filed: 11/22/1991
• Issued: 12/29/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Natural Swing Products Co.
• Original Assignee: Natural Swing Products Co.
• Inventors: Warde, E. D., Stephen, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US07/796,577
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 446/215, 446/207, 446/208, 446/209, 446/202, 446/204, 273/186 A, 273/194 R, 273/194 A, 273/194 B, 273/193 R, 273/29 A, 273/26 B, 273/183 D
• US Class Current: 473/234
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3635 with sound-emitting source

Abstract

A swing training device which provides both audible and tactile feedback to an individual. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a bow-shaped support structure having two tensioned laterally-displaced vibratable members positioned between the end portions of the structure. When the present invention is fixedly attached to a sports implement, such as by a clip partially encircling the shaft of a golf club, and is swung by the individual, the passage of the vibratable members through the air displaces the vibratable members which initiates their vibration. This vibration provides an audible response and a tactile response to the individual, the magnitude of which is dependent upon the velocity with which the sports implement is swung.

Claims

1. A swing training apparatus detachably connectable to a swingable sports implement, comprising:

an elongated support which is detachably connectable to the implement and which has first and second spaced apart portions;

tensioned swing responsive vibratable means, engaging and extending between said first and second portions, for providing feedback to a user of the implement when swung; and

attaching means for encircling at least a portion of said implement to attach said support exteriorly of said implement at a fixed distance and orientation.

2. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support is arcuately shaped between said first and second portions.

3. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support has a cavity between said first and second portions across which said vibratable means extends.

4. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said support comprises a polymer.

5. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said support comprises wood.

7. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first or second portions has a curved surface which engages said vibratable means.

8. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second portions has a surface which is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of said support for engaging said vibratable means.

9. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vibratable means comprises an elastomeric material.

10. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vibratable means comprises a rectangular cross-section.

11. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vibratable means has a cross-sectional shape that promotes the generation of turbulence when passed through air.

12. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, including means for adjusting the tension in said vibratable means.

13. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vibratable means comprises first and second vibratable members, each which engage laterally displaced portions of both said first and second portions.

14. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said vibratable means is skewed along a length of said vibratable means.

15. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vibratable means is positionable on the sports implement such that said vibratable means is substantially perpendicular to the air flow past the sports implement when swung.

6. An apparatus, as claimed in 1, wherein a distance between said first and second portions ranges from approximately 2 inches to approximately 12 inches.