Sport swing training aid

• US 5,577,966 A
• Filed: 12/19/1994
• Issued: 11/26/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony P. Duran
• Original Assignee: Anthony P. Duran
• Inventors: Duran, Anthony P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US08/358,804
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 273/26 B, 273/72 R, 273/186.2, 273/67 R, 273/72 A, 273/183.1, 273/29 R, 273/73 R, 446/204, 473/234, 473/235
• US Class Current: 473/234
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0633 without electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• 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 sport swing training aid for practicing the swing of a ball-hitting device including an elongated rod-like member having first and second ends, a grip on said first end, a stop on said second end, the rod-like member being hollow and internally corrugated and being capable of producing a tone as air passes through the member during the swinging thereof to produce a tone which varies in length and pitch in direct proportion with the velocity and duration of the movement of the ball-striking end as it is swung through a ball-striking zone, to thereby provide an audible feedback to the player as to the tempo and rhythm of the swing, and a slidable sleeve on the elongated rod-like member for travel between the first and second ends as the elongated rod-like member is swung, the stop and sleeve being of sufficient hardness to produce the feel and sound of the striking of a ball upon impact between the sleeve and stop.

Claims

1. A sport swing training aid for practicing the swing of a ball-hitting device comprising an elongated rod-like member having first and second ends, a grip on said first end, a stop on said second end, a slidable sleeve on said elongated rod-like member for travel between said first and second ends when said elongated rod-like member is swung, said sleeve and said stop being of sufficient hardness to produce the feel and sound of the striking of a ball upon impact between said sleeve and said stop, said stop comprising a foam core, a second sleeve surrounding said foam core, and a disc at the end of said second sleeve facing said grip.

2. A sport swing training aid as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongated rod-like member is ribbed with ridges and grooves, and wherein said disc includes an inner portion which fits into one of said grooves.

3. A sport swing training aid as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongated rod-like member includes external ridges and grooves, and wherein said disc includes a central opening of a diameter which is less than the diameter of said ridges so as to fit into one of said grooves, and wherein said foam core includes a bore which is originally of less diameter than said ridges to thereby configure into the outer portions of said grooves.

4. A sport swing training aid for practicing the swing of a ball-hitting device comprising an elongated rod-like member having first and second ends, a grip on said first end, a stop on said second end, a slidable sleeve on said elongated rod-like member for travel between said first and second ends when said elongated rod-like member is swung, said sleeve and said stop being of sufficient hardness to produce the feel and sound of the striking of a ball upon impact between said sleeve and said stop, said elongated rod-like member being ribbed with ridges and grooves, and said stop including a disc having an inner portion located within a groove.

5. A sport swing training aid as set forth in claim 4 including a second sleeve connected to said disc and located on the opposite side of said disc from said grip.

6. A golf swing training aid for practicing a golf club swing comprising an elongated flexible hollow rod-like member having first and second ends, a grip on said first end, a stop on said second end, a slidable sleeve on said elongated flexible hollow rod-like member for travel between said first and second ends when said elongated rod-like member is swung, said sleeve and said stop being of sufficient hardness to produce the feel and sound of the striking of a ball upon impact between said sleeve and said stop, and tone-producing means on said elongated flexible hollow rod-like member for producing a tone which varies in length and pitch in direct proportion to the velocity and duration of movement of said second end as it is swung through a ball-striking zone, said tone-producing means being located in said elongated flexible hollow rod-like member and comprising internal ribbing within said elongated flexible hollow rod-like member.

7. A golf swing training aid as set forth in claim 6 wherein said sleeve is of a different color than said elongated flexible hollow rod-like member.

8. A golf swing training aid as set forth in claim 6 wherein said sleeve is slidable on said elongated rod-like member to a position adjacent said second end prior to said backswing.