Golf club swing training device

• US 5,277,428 A
• Filed: 04/27/1992
• Issued: 01/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Golf Research Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Golf Research Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Rilling, John F., Goodwin, Raymond W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US07/874,619
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 273/186.2, 273/186.3, 273/187.4, 273/187.5, 273/194 R, 273/194 A, 273/194 B
• US Class Current: 473/224
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3685 Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/093 by photoelectric pick-up

Abstract

A device for training a golfer to make a proper and accurate golf stroke comprises a housing having a channel for variably mounting said housing on a golf club in at least a first position and a second position. A transducer is included in the housing for monitoring deviations of golf club travel from a linear direction during a golf stroke when the housing is mounted on the golf club in the first position, and for monitoring acceleration of the golf club through a golf ball during a golf stroke when the housing is mounted on the golf club in the second position. A buzzer and a light source energizable for providing the golfer with feedback indicative of the deviations or acceleration is operatively associated with the transducer. The transducer comprises optical reflective detectors for monitoring the offset positions of a mass on the upper end of a cantilevered spring having its lower end fixed to a circuit board including an aperture therein in which the mass is disposed.

Claims

1. A device for training a golfer to make a desired golf stroke comprising:

a housing;

means for variably mounting said housing on a golf club having a striking face in at least a first position and a second position;

monitoring means for monitoring deviations of golf club travel from a linear direction and striking face orientation during a golf stroke when the housing is mounted on the golf club in the first position, and for monitoring acceleration of the golf club through a golf ball during a golf stroke when the housing is mounted on the golf club in the second position;

said monitoring means including a generally vertical cantilevered flexure spring having a first end fixed with respect to said housing and an opposite free end;

a mass on said flexure spring spaced from said fixed end;

said flexure spring flexing during acceleration of the golf club for causing shifting of said mass relative to said housing from a starting position to an offset position;

a detector mounted for detecting said mass at said offset position and providing a signal; and

feedback means energizable in response to said signal for providing the golfer with feedback indicative of the deviations or acceleration operatively associated with the monitoring means.

2. A device for training a golfer as defined in claim 1 wherein the feedback means comprises at least one of a source of audio signals and a source of visual signals.

3. A device for training a golfer as defined in claim 1 which includes an electronic circuit disposed on a printed circuit board;

the printed circuit board having an aperture thereon;

one end of the spring being attached to the mass and an opposite end of the spring being mounted on the printed circuit board so that the mass is disposed within the aperture; and

the detector being disposed on the printed circuit board adjacent the aperture.

4. A device for training a golfer as defined in claim 3 wherein the electronic circuit comprises a resetting circuit portion for resetting the electronic circuit for successive golf strokes.

5. A device for training a golfer as defined in claim 3 which includes a second detector and said circuit board at a side of the mass opposite from said first detector, the mass being shiftable between said offset position adjacent the first detector, a second offset position adjacent the second detector, and a said starting position offset from and between both the first detector and the second detector;

and the electronic circuit energizing the feedback means when the mass is in either of the first mentioned offset or the second mentioned offset position.

6. A device for training a golfer as defined in claim 1 wherein the detector comprises an optical reflective detector.

7. A device for training a golfer as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting sensitivity of the monitoring means.

8. A device for training a golfer as defined in claim 7 wherein the means for adjusting the sensitivity of the monitoring means comprises a pivot screw for variably rotating the housing for gravity biasing the monitoring means.