Sports training apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for improving a swing of an individual, comprising:
- (a) a shaft having an upper portion, a lower portion and a central portion extending therebetween and defining a longitudinal axis;
(b) a member slidably mounted with respect to the central portion of the shaft and adapted and configured for movement between the upper portion and the lower portion of the shaft, said slidable member defining a fully enclosed accessible hollow region;
(c) first means located in the upper portion of the shaft for preventing the slidable member from sliding over the upper portion of the shaft;
(d) retaining means associated at least in part with the first means, said retaining means functioning to restrain axial movement of the slidable member along the shaft until a pre-selected restraining force is overcome; and
(e) second means located at the lower portion of the shaft for preventing the slidable member from becoming disassociated from the shaft wherein the weight of said slidable member is adjustable by introducing or withdrawing material from said fully enclosed accessible hollow region.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is provided that allows individuals of diverse skill levels to improve their respective sports-related swings. The apparatus provides visual, auditory and tactile feedback as to whether an individual is correctly “loading”, “retaining”, and “releasing” the inherent power of the training apparatus. The training apparatus enables an individual to fine tune his/her swing to maximize power delivery, e.g., in driving a golf ball, striking a hockey puck, or hitting a baseball. A slidable member is provided that moves along a shaft between an upper member and a lower member. A retaining mechanism restrains the slidable member in a cocked position, i.e., in juxtaposition with the upper member, until a predetermined force is created through swinging of the shaft.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for improving a swing of an individual, comprising:
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(a) a shaft having an upper portion, a lower portion and a central portion extending therebetween and defining a longitudinal axis; (b) a member slidably mounted with respect to the central portion of the shaft and adapted and configured for movement between the upper portion and the lower portion of the shaft, said slidable member defining a fully enclosed accessible hollow region; (c) first means located in the upper portion of the shaft for preventing the slidable member from sliding over the upper portion of the shaft; (d) retaining means associated at least in part with the first means, said retaining means functioning to restrain axial movement of the slidable member along the shaft until a pre-selected restraining force is overcome; and (e) second means located at the lower portion of the shaft for preventing the slidable member from becoming disassociated from the shaft wherein the weight of said slidable member is adjustable by introducing or withdrawing material from said fully enclosed accessible hollow region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for improving a swing of an individual, comprising:
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(a) a shaft that defines a longitudinal axis; (b) an upper retainer that is positioned at a first location relative to said shaft; (c) a lower retainer that is positioned at a second location relative to said shaft; (d) a slidable member that is mounted with respect to said shaft for movement between said upper retainer and said lower retainer, said slidable member defining a fully enclosed accessible hollow region; and (e) a retaining mechanism associated at least in part with said upper retainer member, said retaining mechanism functioning to retain said slidable member in juxtaposition with said upper retainer member until a predetermined force is effected through swinging of said shaft; wherein the weight of said slidable member is adjustable by introducing or withdrawing material from said fully enclosed accessible hollow region. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for improving a swing of an individual, comprising:
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(a) providing a swing training apparatus, said swing training apparatus including; (i) a shaft that defines a longitudinal axis; (ii) an upper retainer that is positioned at a first location relative to said shaft; (iii) a lower retainer that is positioned at a second location relative to said shaft; (iv) a slidable member that is mounted with respect to said shaft for movement between said upper retainer and said lower retainer, said slidable member defining a fully enclosed accessible hollow region; and (v) a retaining mechanism associated at least in part with said upper retainer member, said retaining mechanism functioning to retain said slidable member in juxtaposition with said upper retainer member until a predetermined force is effected through swinging of said shaft; (b) adjusting the weight of said slidable member by introducing or withdrawing material from said accessible hollow region; (c) employing said swing training apparatus by swinging said shaft; and (d) receiving feedback from said swing training apparatus regarding the swinging of the shaft.
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Specification