Golf swing training apparatus

• US 5,895,328 A
• Filed: 08/07/1998
• Issued: 04/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pete Pahio
• Original Assignee: Pete Pahio
• Inventors: Pahio, Pete
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US09/130,919
• Time in Patent Office: 256 Days
• Field of Search: 473/220, 473/221, 473/223, 473/224
• US Class Current: 473/224
• 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 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3635 with sound-emitting source

Abstract

A swing training apparatus for sensing centrifugal force created from a swing of a handheld sport implement and producing a signal for a predetermined level of centrifugal force. The apparatus comprises a housing holding a battery affixed to a sliding member that is slidably positioned within the housing. An adjustable force signal mechanism is electrically connected to the battery. A spring holds the sliding member and battery in a signal nonactuating position within said housing until sufficient centrifugal force, created by the swinging sport implement, slides the sliding member within the housing into a signal actuating position, thereby actuating said signal mechanism to produce a signal.

Claims

1. A swing training apparatus for sensing centrifugal force created from a swing of a handheld sport implement and producing a signal for a predetermined level of centrifugal force, the apparatus comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a power source;

c) a sliding member affixed to said power source and slidably positioned within said housing;

d) biasing means for holding said sliding member in a signal nonactuating position within said housing;

e) signal means coupled to said sliding member, wherein the centrifugal force created by the swinging sport implement slides said sliding member within said housing thereby actuating said signal means to produce a signal.

2. A swing training apparatus for a handheld sport implement having a shaft and a head, wherein the apparatus is actuated by centrifugal force from swinging the sport implement, the apparatus comprises:

a) a housing;

b) a sliding member slidably positioned within said housing; and

c) electronic means responsive to centrifugal force from swinging the sport implement, said electronic means comprising;

i) power means mounted within said housing and to said sliding member, wherein said power means has an actuating position and a nonactuating position, wherein said power means moves from said nonactuating position to said actuation position in response to a predetermined centrifugal force;

ii) signaling means electrically coupled to said power means, wherein said signaling means emits a signal when said power means assumes said actuating position; and

iii) circuitry means for said electrical coupling of said power means and said signaling means;

d) biasing means secured to said power means for maintaining said power means in said nonactuating position when said predetermined centrifugal force is not sufficient to move said power means into said actuating position; and

e) means for reversible attachment of said housing of the apparatus to the shaft of the sport implement proximate to the head.

3. A sport implement swing training apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising adjustable force means that regulates the amount of centrifugal force necessary to produce a signal.

4. A sport implement swing training apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said adjustable force means comprises:

a) an electrically conductive screw adjustable mounted in said housing and

b) an electrically conductive base plate contacting said electrically conductive screw.

5. A sport implement swing training apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said sliding member comprises a panel sized to fit and to slide within said housing.

6. A sport implement swing training apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said power means comprises a battery secured to said sliding member.

7. A golf swing training apparatus, actuated by sufficient centrifugal force of a golf swing, for attachment to a golf club having a shaft and a club head, the apparatus comprises:

a) a housing having an interior compartment;

b) a sliding panel slidably positioned within said interior compartment of said housing;

c) a battery having first and second terminals and secured to said sliding panel;

d) a signaling means having first and second terminals and wired by said first signaling means terminal to said first battery terminal;

e) an electrically conductive screw adjustable mounted in said housing;

f) an electrically conductive base plate contacting said electrically conductive screw; and

g) an electrically conductive spring wired to said signaling means second terminal and contacting said electrically conductive base plate, wherein said spring maintains a centrifugal force sensitive separation between said second battery terminal and said electrically conductive screw, whereby when said golf swing produces the sufficient centrifugal force said secondly battery terminal contacts said electrically conductive screw thereby forming a complete circuit and activating said signalling means.