Sports swing training method and apparatus

• US 5,634,856 A
• Filed: 04/17/1996
• Issued: 06/03/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ron T. Rainey
• Original Assignee: Ron T. Rainey
• Inventors: Rainey, Ron T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US08/633,508
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 473/233, 473/234, 473/409
• US Class Current: 473/234
• 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 60/04 Movable ballast means A63B15/005 takes precedence

Abstract

A golf swing training aid, also usable for baseball and tennis training, has a tubular body with provision for a two-handed grip at one end with a central portion, between the handle portion and the opposite end, wherein a weight is confined to move freely along the central portion. The weight strikes a stop at the opposite end, with the travel distance and duration of said weight are such that the weight strikes against the stop at the ball impact point of a properly executed swing.

Claims

1. A training aid for a player'"'"'s use in learning the proper motion sequence for swinging to strike a ball comprising:

a body no longer in length than a regulation golf club, with a diameter suitable for gripping, and having an upper end, an upper end portion, a central portion and a lower end;

means for gripping said body with a two-handed grip proximate said upper end, the gripping area extending over said upper end portion;

a striking member located and sized for free longitudinal movement along said central portion;

means located at said upper portion for blocking, but not restraining, longitudinal movement of said striking member, said blocking means thus establishing the upper limit of said central portion at or within said gripping area; and

means at said lower end for retaining said striking member within the central portion and for impact of said striking member theragainst, said retaining means thus establishing the lower limit of said central portion, the location of said blocking means and the length of said central portion being selected such that said striking member, upon moving through the length of said central portion under the influence of centrifugal force, will impact against said retaining means at the bottom of a properly executed golf swing.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said body is a shaft.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said body is a tube of between 12 and 36 inches in length of approximately 3/4 inch outside diameter; and

said striking member is a Weight fitting loosely within said body.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said body is a tube of approximately 24 inches in length; and

said striking member is a weight fitting loosely within said body.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said body is a shaft of between 12 and 36 inches in length.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said body is a shaft of approximately 24 inches in length.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said striking member is a flattened part with a central hole fitting loosely around said body.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising;

visually distinctive means adjoining said upper end for aligning the club at the top of the swing by means of the user'"'"'s peripheral vision, prior to striking the ball.

9. A training aid for a player'"'"'s use in learning the proper motion sequence for swinging to strike a ball comprising:

a tubular body no longer in length than a regulation golf club, having internal and external diameters, an upper end, an upper end portion, a central portion and a lower end;

a two-handed grip proximate said upper end so that the gripping area extends over said upper end portion of said tubular body;

a striking member, sized for free longitudinal movement within said internal diameter and throughout the length of said central portion;

a plug located in the upper portion of said tubular body, at or within said gripping area, to block, but not restrain, movement of said striking member, said plug establishing the upper limit of said central portion; and

an anvil blocking the lower end of said tubular body, said anvil establishing the lower limit of said central portion, the location of said plug and the length of said central portion being such that said striking member, upon moving through the length of said central portion under the influence of centrifugal force, impacts said anvil at the bottom of a properly executed golf swing.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein:

said body is a tube of between 12 and 36 inches in length having approximately 3/4 inch outside diameter; and

said striking member is a weight fitting loosely within said body.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein:

said body is a tube of approximately 24 inches in length having approximately 3/4 inch outside diameter; and

said striking member is a weight fitting loosely within said body.

12. Apparatus according to claim 9 and further comprising;

visually distinctive means adjoining said upper end for an aid in aligning the club at the top of the swing by means of the user'"'"'s peripheral vision, prior to striking the ball.

13. A method for training a player in the proper motion sequence for swinging to strike a golf ball comprising:

providing a body of a length no longer than a regulation golf club and of a convenient diameter, with an upper end portion, a central portion and an opposite end;

gripping said body about the upper end portion thereof with a two-handed grip;

providing a weight located and sized for longitudinal movement along the central portion of the body;

blocking, but not restraining longitudinal movement of the weight, with a plug located at the upper end portion at or within the gripping hands;

executing a practice motion sequence as for swinging to strike a golf ball, including;

assuming the initial stance as if addressing a golf ball;

swinging the body back and upwardly to an elevated position causing the weight to slide to the upper end portion plug;

swinging the body downwardly as for striking a golf ball so that the weight slides from the plug to the opposite end of the body under the influence of centrifugal force; and

positioning a stop at the opposite end of the body, wherein the length and duration of travel from the plug to the stop is such that the weight strikes the stop at the bottom of a properly executed swing.