Golf training device

• US 6,120,385 A
• Filed: 09/30/1997
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dexter Automatic Products Company
• Original Assignee: Dexter Automatic Products Company
• Inventors: Nemeckay, Stephen A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US08/941,415
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 473/256, 292/305, 482/109
• US Class Current: 473/256
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 15/00 Clubs for gymnastics or the like , e.g. for swinging exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3638 Normal golf clubs with directly attached weights

Abstract

A golf training device for aiding in golf swing training and golf warm-up activities. The golf training device includes a golf club-like shaft, an at least one weighted member, and a stopper. The at least one weighted member is adapted to removably mount onto the shaft, and is defined by two temporary lockable interdigitating members and a locking member. The stopper, which attaches to the bottom end of the shaft, further aids in preventing the at least one weighted member from inadvertent disengagement from the shaft.

Claims

1. A golf-swing training device comprising:

(a) an elongated shaft for removably mounting a weight member thereonto, the shaft including a first end and a second end;

(b) a stopper having a radius greater than the radius of the second end and projecting outwardly therefrom and coaxial therewith, the stopper preventing slidable detachment of a weight member from the shaft;

(c) at least one weight member removably mountable to the shaft, the at least one weight member comprising;

a body member having a substantially centered aperture, the aperture adapted for securing the member to a golf club shaft, the body member further comprising

(i) first and second opposedly-arranged, identical body portions adapted to be freely slidable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aperture, each of the first and second body portions having a male pedestal portion, a male foot portion, a U-shaped recess, and an inner surface, wherein each inner surface defines a first female portion for axially slidably receiving the male foot portion of each opposite body portion in an interdigitating relationship and each U-shaped recess of each body portion defines a second female portion for axially slidably receiving the male pedestal portion of each opposite body portion in an interdigitating relationship, the body portions being prevented from radial disengagement by the interdigitation of the two body portions; and

(ii) a channel extending radially through the outer periphery of the body member and into the aperture, the channel extending through the inner surface of each body portion and through the interdigitated foot portion of the other body portion thereby defining a notch in the foot portion of the other body member; and

a locking member for engaging in the channel when the body portions are assembled onto a golf club shaft, the locking member lockingly engaging the shaft to thereby prevent axial sliding movement of the weighted member relative to the shaft.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft is a cylindrical tapered shaft.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft further comprises:

(a) a top portion which extends from the first end, the top portion having a decreasing tapered radius from the first end toward the second end,

(b) a middle portion integral with the top portion, the middle portion having a decreasing tapered radius extending toward the second end; and

(c) a bottom portion integral with the middle portion and having a constant radius, the at least one weight member being removably mounted onto the bottom portion.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a grip material overlaying the top portion.

5. The device of claim 1, which further comprises:

a plurality of weight members mounted onto the shaft, each of the weight members comprising the weight member of claim 1.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the body member is substantially disc shaped.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the locking member is a threaded fastener.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the threaded fastener comprises a manually graspable head disposed externally of the channel, the head facilitating manual rotation of the fastener.